taskmistress
Definition
Noun: A female taskmaster; a woman who assigns tasks, especially demanding or arduous ones, and supervises or enforces their completion, often with strictness.
Usage
The word "taskmistress" is used to refer to a woman in a position of authority who allocates work and ensures it is done, typically implying she is rigorous, demanding, or stern in her supervision. It is a somewhat formal or literary term.
Examples
- The new department head was a strict taskmistress who expected reports to be submitted by 8 a.m. sharp.
- In the historical novel, the lady of the manor was a harsh taskmistress to the servants.
- She became her own toughest taskmistress, setting incredibly high standards for her personal projects.
Advanced Usage
- The term can be used metaphorically for an abstract force or principle that imposes demanding requirements.
- The relentless pursuit of perfection was a cruel taskmistress for the artist.
Variants and Related Words
- Taskmaster (noun): The gender-neutral or male-specific counterpart. A person, especially a strict one, who assigns and supervises tasks.
- Supervisor (noun): A more neutral term for a person who oversees work.
- Forewoman (noun): A woman in charge of a group of workers.
Synonyms
- Overseer
- Supervisor
- Forewoman
- Disciplinarian
- Slave driver (informal, pejorative)
Antonyms
- Subordinate
- Underling
- Protege
Related Idioms/Phrases
- To be a hard/strict taskmistress: Used to describe someone who is very demanding.
- History can be a hard taskmistress, punishing those who do not learn its lessons.
Noun
-
a woman taskmaster
