Waitress

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈweɪ.tɹɪs/

Definitions

1. A female server employed in a restaurant or café who takes orders and brings food and drinks to patrons at their tables
2. A woman working in the food service industry who takes customer orders and delivers meals and beverages at various dining locations
3. A female employee in the hospitality sector responsible for taking patrons' orders and serving food and drinks at dining establishments

Etymology: The word is a straightforward formation: "waiter" with the feminine suffix "-ess" attached. That suffix has a long pedigree. It traces back through ancient Greek forms ending in "-issa" to Latin and then Old French, where it took the shape "-esse," and it entered Middle English as "-esse" before becoming the familiar "-ess" in English. The suffix was once a productive way to mark women in many trades and roles, which is why English has so many paired forms such as "actress," "hostess," and "governess." Because "waiter" was already in use for a man who attends at table, adding "-ess" produced a parallel term for women doing the same job.

Synonyms: server, waitstaff, hostess, food server, caterer