arbitress
Definition
Noun: An "arbitress" is a woman who acts as an arbitrator or mediator, or who holds the power to decide or judge in a dispute. It is the feminine form of "arbiter," though it is now largely archaic or formal.
Usage Examples
- (She acted as the female judge or mediator.)
- (She held the power to decide standards in a particular field.)
Advanced Usage
- "Arbitress of taste": a woman whose opinion or judgment is considered authoritative in matters of aesthetics or culture.
- The renowned art critic was the arbitress of taste for the gallery's exhibitions. (She had the final say on artistic merit.)
Variants and Related Words
- Arbiter (n): a person who has the power to settle a dispute or make a final decision (gender-neutral).
- The judge acted as the arbiter in the legal case. (The judge decided the outcome.)
- Arbitrate (v): to act as an arbitrator; to settle a dispute.
- They asked her to arbitrate the disagreement between the two parties. (She mediated and resolved the conflict.)
- Arbitration (n): the process of settling a dispute by an arbitrator.
- The contract included a clause for binding arbitration. (A formal dispute resolution process.)
Synonyms
- Mediatrix: a female mediator or go-between.
- Judge: a person who decides in a contest or dispute (gender-neutral, but used here for the female role).
- Referee: a person who enforces rules and makes decisions in sports or disputes (gender-neutral).
Related Idioms
- To be the arbitress of one's own fate: to have full control over one's own decisions and destiny.
- After leaving her job, she became the arbitress of her own fate. (She took full charge of her life's direction.)