Forms: Iuwesse, Iuesse, 4–7 Iewesse, (6 Iewes, -as), 7– Jewess. [f. JEW sb. + -ESS: cf. OF. Juise (Godefroy).] A female Jew; a Jewish woman.
1388. Wyclif, Acts xvi. 1. Timothe, the son of a Jewesse cristen.
a. 1400. Pistill of Susan, 41. For gentrise and Ioye of þat Iuwesse.
1526. Tindale, Acts xxiv. 24. Felix and his wyfe Drusilla which was a iewes [1534 Iewas, 1539 Cranmer Iewesse, 1611 Iew].
1613. Purchas, Pilgrimage (1614), 214, note. For the Virgin Mary, say they, wore the Ring on her middle finger, and therefore all Iewesses refuse that, and use the forefinger.
1820. Scott, Ivanhoe, xxiv. The Jewess Rebecca awaited her fate.
1876. Geo. Eliot, Dan. Der., xvii. I am English-born. But I am a Jewess.
