Victoresses

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A successful female competitor or champion who triumphs in a contest or challenge
2. A woman who achieves victory, particularly in a sporting event or competition
3. An accomplished female figure recognized for her success in overcoming obstacles or rivals

Etymology: "Victoresses" is the plural of "victoress," a feminine form of "victor." The ending "-ess" comes from Old French "-esse," which English borrowed to mark women in certain roles, as in "actress," "countess," and "governess." The root "victor" comes from Latin "victor," meaning "conqueror," itself built from "vincere," "to conquer." The -ess suffix was productive for centuries, so forms like "victoress" were easy to coin, but "victor" was already a feminine-friendly word in its own right, and dictionaries have long treated "victress" and "victoress" as variants. Both forms are rare today, and writers often prefer "victor" for women as well, which is why the word sounds old-fashioned to modern ears.

Synonyms: winners, champions, conquerors

Antonyms: losers, defeated, failures