[f. L. victr- + -ESS. Cf. next and VICTRIX.] A female victor or vanquisher.

1

1601.  Holland, Pliny, I. 452. Posthumius Tubertus … rode triumphant in this manner, to wit, crowned with a chaplet of Myrtle, dedicated to Venus Victresse [1634 Victoresse]. Ibid. (1606), Sueton., 243. When the one of them was foyled and overcome, a third [eagle] came at the very instant from the sunne rising and chased the victresse away.

2

1637.  Heywood, Dial., xviii. 244. She that’s crownd Victresse by the Trojan Boy, For meed this golden Apple shall enioy.

3

1658.  W. Burton. Itin. Anton., 44. She as a Mother not a Victresse calls.

4

1741.  Shenstone, Judgm. Hercules, 514. Not such the victress, Virtue’s constant queen, Endur’d the test of truth.

5

c. 1780.  M. Monsey, in Jeaffreson, Bk. about Doctors (1860), II. iv. 84.

        O Venus, send dire ruin on her head,
Strike the Destroyer, lay the Victress dead.

6

1850.  W. P. Scargill, Eng. Sketch-Bk., 21. Peggy Mumps, his sister, was victress in a chemise race.

7

1867.  Howells, Ital. Journ., 101. The painter has done his best for the victress in this rivalry.

8

1888.  Mrs. H. Ward, R. Elsmere, xlv. ‘I wouldn’t have given it him,’… the supposed victress was saying to herself.

9