protectress

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a woman who protects, guards, or acts as a patron; now uncommon

   The exiled artist remembered the duchess as his generous protectress.

Formed from protector + the feminine suffix -ess. Protector comes from Latin protector, from protegere, 'cover in front, defend.' Protectress was historically used when a protector's sex was considered relevant; the ungendered protector is now usual.

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