[f. COMPETITOR + -ESS. Fr. and L. forms of the same are seen in the two following words.] A female competitor.
1645. J. Goodwin, Innoc. Triumphing, 42. It hath the preheminence of its Competitresse to the value of 1500 yeers.
1672. Hieragonist, 136 (T.). Oxford and Cambridge; with whom the Grecian Athens itself was no fit competitress.
1878. Gladstone, Prim. Homer, 132. Penelopè is scarcely a less formidable competitress with all later attempts to delineate the queenly matron.
