[a. OF. arbitresse, fem. of arbitre: see -ESS.] A female arbiter.
1. One who settles disputes, a mediatress.
1340. Ayenb., 154. A trewe arbitres betuene Þe goste and þe ulesse.
c. 1630. Drumm. of Hawth., James I., Wks. (1711), 11. Had France but shown herself an indifferent arbitress of the blows between Scotland and England.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), II. xlix. 368. The arbitress of the quarrels of unruly spirits.
1835. I. Taylor, Spir. Despot., vii. 308. The Church is sovereign arbitress of controversy.
2. A female who has absolute control or disposal.
1594. Daniel, Cleopatra (1717), 278. O fearful frowning Nemesis … That art the World’s great Arbitress.
1667. Milton, P. L., I. 784. While over head the Moon Sits Arbitress.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, Wks. 1842, II. 293. To make England … the arbitress of Europe.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, VII. ii. 393. The arbitress of fashion is one who is allowed to be singular, in order that she may suppress singularity.
