Also 7 ump(e)resse, 8 umpress. [f. UMPIRE sb. + -ESS.] A female umpire.
1602. Marston, Ant. & Mel., V. Wks. 1856, I. 58. Give mee the golden harpe: faith with your favour, ile be umperesse.
1651. Howell, Venice, 4. She [Venice] hath allwayes bin more inclined to peace than war, and chosen rather to be a Spectatrix or Umpresse, than a Gamestresse.
1715. trans. C’tess D’Aunoy’s Wks., 18. I became an Umpress among the Wits, and Judge of their Works.
1889. Pall Mall G., 4 March, 1/2. Umpires, or rather umpiresses, for the women folk of the village had been invited to give judgment.
