swordmistress

plural swordmistresses · alternative swordsmistress

1. A female expert or consummate swordfighter.

   RAVEN—masked swordmistress from a land where women rule and men obey.

   1983, Samuel R[ay] Delany, Tales of Nevèrÿon, Bantam Books, →ISBN, back cover

   5 more examples

   “My mother, having put aside the Unicom and followed her will of union, became swordmistress and teacher. But our clan fell into hard days and there were three harvests that were too thin to support any but the old and the very young. Therefore, those who were still hearty of arm, who could ride and fight—and my mother was a Valkyrie”—Yevele’s head lifted proudly,—“took council together. […]

   1978, Andre Norton, Quag Keep, New York, N.Y.: Atheneum, →ISBN, page 55

   To Nicole Harsh, Maigrey’s swordmistress, who was concerned about milady’s exercise regimen.

   1991, Margaret Weis, King’s Sacrifice (Star of the Guardians; volume three), Bantam Spectra, →ISBN

   Spectators crammed along the ropes, eager to catch glimpses of the king’s new swordmistress or to watch the guardsmen hammer at one another with practice weapons.

   1996, Mickey Zucker Reichert, Prince of Demons (The Renshai Chronicles; volume two), New York, N.Y.: DAW Books, →ISBN, page 371

   When at last she slept, her dreams were haunted by the face of her unknown ancestor and by a chorus of Elvish voices that demanded that the dishonor done to the swordmistress be redressed.

   1996, Elaine Cunningham, Silver Shadows, Lake Geneva, Wis.: TSR, Inc., →ISBN, page 90

   The Bearkillers’ swordmistress danced. Her targe beat aside a spearhead, and then the backsword flicked out in a blurring thrust.

   2004, S[tephen] M[ichael] Stirling, Dies the Fire, New York, N.Y.: Roc Books, →ISBN, page 444