princess

The story

1. Old French · derived fromprincesse
2. Anglo-Norman · derived fromprincesse
3. Middle English · inherited fromprincesse
4. English todayprincess

From Middle English princesse, a borrowing from Anglo-Norman princesse, Old French princesse. By surface analysis, prince + -ess.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 14th c. A female member of a royal family other than a queen, especially a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch.
• from 14th c. A woman or girl who excels in a given field or class.
• from 15th c. A female ruler or monarch; a queen.
• from 15th c. The wife of a prince; the female ruler of a principality.
• from 18th c. A young girl; used as a term of endearment.
• from 20th c. A young girl or woman (or less commonly a man) who is vain, spoiled, or selfish; a prima donna.