Pl. -trices. [a. med.L. execūtrix, fem. of ex(s)ecūtor: see EXECUTOR.] A female executor; esp. a woman appointed by a testator to execute his will.
1502. Bury Wills (1850), 95. Of this my testament and last will I make myn executrix the seid Anne my wyff.
a. 1577. Sir T. Smith, Commw. Eng. (1609), 120. [Wives] bee … made at the death of their husbands eyther sole or chiefe executrices of his last will and Testament.
1650. Bulwer, Anthropomet., xxii. 249. Unlesse the intelligences, the executrices of Gods providence have used this Art in some Region.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. xvii. A female … at seventeen may be executrix.
1827. J. Powell, Devises, II. 33. A testator … appointing his wife S. sole executrix of his will.
Hence † Executrixship. Obs. rare–1, the office of executrix.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, IV. viii. 229. The executrixship of all is thine.
