[f. L. tyrann-us TYRANT + -ESS; cf. med.L. tyrannissa (1372 in Du Cange).] A female tyrant. Chiefly fig.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. v. 46. They were by law of that proud Tyrannesse [Dame Pride],… Condemned to that Dongeon mercilesse.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 462. Semiramis the Babilonian tyrannesse.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, II. xxi. § 2. The house of David … was … rooted up, and the Crown of Juda in … possession of a cruel Tyrannesse.
1643. Milton, Divorce, I. xiii. Not to canonize Marriage either as a tyranness or a goddess over the enfranchised life and soul of man.
1706. Watts, Horæ Lyr., II. xvi. (1743), 171. Custom, that Tyranness of Fools.
1754. Richardson, Grandison (1781), III. xi. 84. She was … indeed a tyranness, to all beneath her.
1814. Scott, Lett. to J. B. S. Morritt, 11 Nov., in Lockhart. My Muse is a Tyranness, and not a Christian Queen.
1824. Heber, Narr. Journ. India, xix. (1828), II. 278. She [the Begum Sumroo] is, however, a sad tyranness.
1844. Blackw. Mag., LVI. 84. The lovely marble-souled tyranness has … turned back … a hundred, all worthily born.
