French Conversation · Level 48
74 words
French word
prêtresse
Pronunciation
IPA/pʁɛtʁɛs/
Meaning
- feminine nounpriestess
Example
La prêtresse a béni l'enfant.
The priestess blessed the child.
More examples
As-tu vu le documentaire sur la prêtresse antique?
Have you seen the documentary about the ancient priestess?
Core concept
A female religious officiant whose authority belongs to a temple, ritual, or fictional sacred order.
Similar words
prêtre: A male cleric who carries out priestly duties and presides over Mass.
religieuse: A female member of a religious order who lives in a convent for prayer and service.
Definition in French
Femme qui accomplit des fonctions religieuses proches de celles d'un prêtre, surtout dans des cultes anciens, païens ou dans la fiction.
Word origin
The feminine form prêtresse developed from prêtre by adding -esse, and prêtre ultimately derives from Greek presbyteros through Latin presbyter.
Usage tips
- Prêtresse often suggests an ancient, pagan, literary, or fictional setting more strongly than a modern Christian clergy context.
Opposites
- laïclaypersonnoun
- profaneuninitiated personnoun