amateuse

plural amateuses

1. A female amateur.

   The eight contestants too comprised the spirit of fraternité four professional men, three gentlemen-riders and one lady amateuse.

   1977, Michael Clayton, Cross Country Riding, →ISBN, page 120

   5 more examples

   This Society, already distinguished by their extreme liberality and brilliant assemblies, do themselves additional honour by the periodical invitation of lady artists and amateuses, some of whom contribute works of much excellence to the exhibitions.

   1842 July, The Art-Union. A Monthly Journal of Fine Arts, volume IV, London: […] J. How, […], section “Amateur Artists’ Conversazioni”, page 165, column 3

   “King Rodolpho’s Will” (Burns & Oates) is a drama of the time of the Crusades, by the Rev. H. C. Duke. There is plenty of striking incident in it, and it may be effective for representation by young amateurs, especially as no amateuses are required in it.

   1880, “New Books”, in The Irish Monthly: A Magazine of General Literature, volume eighth, Dublin: M. H. Gill & Son, […]. London: Burns & Oates; Simpkin, Marshall & Co., section IV (Other New Books), page 460

   Les looked around the room for Em. His glance passed Lou Kohn, leading amateuse of the Teacup Theater (who was draped against a door à la Sarah Bernhardt), and rested on Em and Howard—alone in a window-seat.

   1923, Literary Digest International Book Review, page 37, column 1

   In this regard, I am reminded of an incident in the home of Doña Reina de Abeja, an amateuse of the occult, who some years ago brought a medium from Duluth, Minnesota, for the delectation of her cronies.

   1975, R. M. Koster, “Notes”, in The Dissertation, section 4 (Procedure)

   So our plucky thieves switch to a “cash business,” which Gaston doesn’t mind but Lily does. Lily is an amateuse, and it takes the heart out of her work to steal something she can’t wear.

   1977, The National Society of Film Critics on Movie Comedy, →ISBN, page 74

   Synonyms: amatrice