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Jewess

[ joo-is ]

noun

, Older Use: Usually Offensive.
  1. a term used to refer to a Jewish girl or woman.


Jewess

/ ˈdʒuːɪs /

noun

  1. offensive.
    a Jewish girl or woman


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Sensitive Note

First used in the Middle Ages, the term Jewess has been an inoffensive, neutral term for most of its history. With the advent of the civil rights and feminist movements of the 1960s, it began to be considered condescending and has since declined in use. -ess.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Jewess1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English jewesse; Jew, -ess

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Example Sentences

So, why no Jewess in the mix of more recent and diverse Miss Americas?

At the back we had some of those steel cupboards where we kept our stock and I put the Jew and the Jewess in there!

I have committed the sin of the flesh with an unclean Jewess, I am damned without your grace!

It makes the young Jew ashamed of the young Jewess; it makes her ashamed of the young Jew.

I remember in particular a vivid-looking, much-jewelled Jewess, who was minus money and passport.

To be born a Jewess was a distinction for Emma Lazarus, and she in turn conferred distinction upon her race.

Rebecca's knowledge of the healing art had been acquired under an aged Jewess, the daughter of a celebrated doctor.

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