conductress
Noun: A female conductor. Historically, this term specifically referred to a woman who collects fares on a bus or tram, or a woman who leads a musical ensemble like an orchestra or choir. Its usage has declined in favor of the gender-neutral term "conductor."
The word "conductress" is used to specify that the person performing the role of a conductor is a woman. It is most commonly associated with public transport or, less frequently, musical leadership.
Examples: * The conductress politely reminded passengers to have their tickets ready. * In the early 20th century, it was uncommon to see a female conductress leading a major orchestra.
- The term is considered somewhat dated. In modern contexts, "conductor" is the standard, gender-neutral term for the role, regardless of the person's gender.
- It can be used in historical or period-specific narratives to maintain accuracy.
- Conductor (n): The standard, gender-neutral term for a person who collects fares or directs a musical performance.
- Conduct (v): To lead, guide, or direct.
- Female conductor
- (Bus/Tram) Ticket collector (gender-neutral)
The core meaning is "a woman who conducts." Its application is typically limited to two main domains: 1. Public Transport: A woman who works on a bus or train, collecting fares and sometimes announcing stops. 2. Music: A woman who directs the performance of an orchestra or choir. This usage is rarer historically.
The word itself does not imply a different job function than "conductor"; it only specifies the gender of the person in that role.
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a woman conductor
