Also 6 leadress(e. [f. LEADER1 + -ESS.] A female leader.
1599. Thynne, Animadv. (1865), 74. They agree yt shoulde not be a ‘minoresse,’ but a ‘mooveresse’ or leadresse of and to anger and yre.
1888. Daily News, 9 Nov., 2/1. Mrs. K. … a leader, or leaderess of the Ladies’ Land League.
