hostress

plural hostresses

1. datedA female host.

   The host and hostress sat at the side — Colonel Hamilton or some other member of the military family usually took the head of the table.

   1973, Stewart Hoagland, New Jersey Historical Profiles; Revolutionary Times

   2 more examples

   By this time, mine hostress set before us our dish of herrings, which, with oatmeal cakes, potatoes, and buttermilk, furnished one of the heartiest dinners I ever ate;

   1802, Samuel Jackson Pratt, Gleanings Through Wales, Holland, and Westphalia, volume 1, page 64

   To the health, happiness and longevity of His Excellency Marshal Kim Il-song and of Madame Kim Il-song, to the health of the esteemed Korean hosts and hostresses, to the health of His Excellency Minister Abdelaziz Bouteflika and other Algerian personages, to the health of the honourable members of the corps and their wives;

   1971, Daily report: Asia & Pacific

   Synonyms: hostess