Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

countess

 - 3 dictionary results
Countess at Amazon
Low Prices on Countess Free 2-Day Shipping w/ Amazon Prime
www.Amazon.com/Books

count⋅ess

  [koun-tis]
Use countess in a Sentence
–noun
1. the wife or widow of a count in the nobility of Continental Europe or of an earl in the British peerage.
2. a woman having the rank of a count or earl in her own right.
Origin:
1125–75; ME c(o)untesse < AF. See count 2 , -ess

Usage note:
See -ess.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To countess
Countess at Amazon
Low Prices on Countess Free 2-Day Shipping w/ Amazon Prime
www.Amazon.com/Books
count·ess   (koun'tĭs)   
n.  

  1. A woman holding the title of count or earl.

    1. The wife or widow of a count in various European countries.

    2. The wife or widow of an earl in Great Britain.

  3. Used as a title for such a noblewoman.


[Middle English countes, from Old French contesse, feminine of conte, count; see count2.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

countess 
1154, adopted in Anglo-Norm. for "the wife of an earl," from M.L. cometissa, fem. of L. comes "count" (see count (n.)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see countess on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way