sophistress

English

Etymology

From sophister +‎ -ess.

Noun

sophistress (plural sophistresses)

  1. A female sophist.
    • 1677, Thomas D’Urfey, A Fond Husband, London: James Magnes & Richard Bentley, Act V, Scene 5, p. 61,[1]
      Now the mighty Sophistress is o’erthrown!
    • 1691, [William Walsh], A Dialogue Concerning Women, Being a Defence of the Sex. […], London: […] R[ichard] Bentley […], and J[acob] Tonson […], →OCLC, page 89:
      VVhat vvill you ſay to Aſpatia Mileſia, vvho is Celebrated as a Sophiſtreſs, (you knovv the VVord Sophister vvas not then abus'd) a Teacher of Rethorick, and a Poeteſs?
    • 1808, Henrietta Rouviere, chapter 8, in The Old Irish Baronet‎[2], volume 2, London: Lane, Newman, & Co, page 160:
      “Every person,” replied Ellen, deeply blushing, “is warranted in giving their opinion of another. No human creature is perfect; but where the good qualities of any character predominate, I should certainly be inclined to overlook the lesser imperfections which might shade it.”
      “Admirable sophistress!” said the Signora archly […]
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