Ancestresses: meaning, definitions and examples
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ancestresses
[ ˈæn.ses.trəs.ɪz ]
female ancestors
Ancestresses refer to women from whom one is descended, especially those further back in a family line. This term emphasizes the female lineage in genealogical contexts, highlighting the contributions and significance of women in ancestry.
Synonyms
female ancestors, female predecessors, foremothers
Examples of usage
- The ancestresses of the family were known for their resilience.
- She traced her ancestresses back to the 18th century.
- Many renowned ancestresses played pivotal roles in their communities.
- The stories of her ancestresses inspired her to pursue her passions.
Translations
Translations of the word "ancestresses" in other languages:
🇵🇹 antepassadas
🇮🇳 पूर्वज महिलाएं
🇩🇪 Vorfahren
🇮🇩 nenek moyang perempuan
🇺🇦 предки жінки
🇵🇱 przodkinie
🇯🇵 先祖女性
🇫🇷 ancêtres féminins
🇪🇸 antepasadas
🇹🇷 atalar
🇰🇷 조상 여성
🇸🇦 الأسلاف الإناث
🇨🇿 předkyně
🇸🇰 predkyne
🇨🇳 女性祖先
🇸🇮 predkinje
🇮🇸 forfeður konur
🇰🇿 тек predecessors
🇬🇪 ძალა ქალები
🇦🇿 nana qadınlar
🇲🇽 antepasadas
Word origin
The term 'ancestresses' is a relatively modern coinage that combines the word 'ancestor' with the suffix '-ess,' which denotes female gender. 'Ancestor' itself is derived from the Latin 'antecessor,' meaning 'foregoer or predecessor,' and has been used in English since the 14th century. The need to explicitly denote female ancestors arises from discussions about women’s roles in history and genealogy, as traditional narratives often marginalized their contributions. As awareness of women's historical significance has grown, terms like 'ancestresses' have gained traction, highlighting their importance in familial and cultural histories. This linguistic evolution reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing and valuing women's roles in both historical contexts and personal narratives.