administratrix

administratrix

The administratrix reviews the estate documents at her desk.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A female administrator: "Administratrix" refers to a woman who manages or directs affairs, especially in an official capacity.
    • A female executor of an estate: In legal contexts, "administratrix" specifically denotes a woman appointed to manage and distribute the assets of a deceased person's estate when no executor is named or available.
Usage Examples
  • General administrative role:
    • She served as the administratrix of the charity for over a decade. (She was the female manager of the charity.)
  • Legal estate management:
    • The court appointed her as the administratrix of her late uncle's estate. (She was legally responsible for handling the deceased's property and debts.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Letters of administration": In probate law, a woman receiving "letters of administration" becomes an "administratrix" to manage an estate.
    • After the will was contested, the judge issued letters of administration to the eldest daughter as administratrix. (She was granted legal authority to oversee the estate.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Administrator (n): a person (male or female) who manages affairs.
    • The school's administrator handled the budget. (A manager of school operations.)
  • Administratrices (n, plural): the plural form of "administratrix".
    • The two administratrices divided the estate's duties. (The female administrators worked together.)
Synonyms
  • Manageress: a female manager of a business or organization.
  • Executrix: a female executor of a will (similar legal role).
  • Directress: a female director of an institution.
Related Idioms
  • "To act as administratrix": to perform the duties of managing an estate.
    • She had to act as administratrix for her mother's will. (She took on the legal responsibility of distributing the inheritance.)
Notes on Gender
  • Historical usage: "Administratrix" was commonly used in legal documents up to the 20th century to specify a female administrator. Modern English often uses "administrator" for any gender, though "administratrix" remains in formal legal contexts.