predictress
nounEtymology From predictor + -ess.
1
A female predictor.
- προφῆτις. Why Anna is so called the Commentators are not agreed. Some take the word in the sense of “a predictress of future events;” as in the Apoc. 2, 20.; others think she is so called, as being the wife of a prophet.1826, S[amuel] T[homas] Bloomfield, “St. Luke”, in Recensio Synoptica Annotationis Sacræ, Being a Critical Digest and Synoptical Arrangement of the Most Important Annotations on the New Testament, Exegetical, Philological, and Doctrinal: […], volume II, London: C[harles] and J[ohn] Rivington, […], chapter II, pages 245–246:
- “Call me Eva,” said the woman, “the predictress of fate. Lady, I have but little to say now; but will you meet me to-morrow at midnight, under the large porch, in the Abbey church-yard, opposite to St. Margaret’s church; but remember, lady, you are to come alone, bring not your rival with you; I will tell you that which it is well you should know:—will you be there?”1836 March, Mrs. T. F. Clarke, “The First and Last Song”, in The Lady’s Magazine and Museum of the Belles-Lettres, Fine Arts, Music, Drama, Fashions, &c., volume VIII, London: […] J. Page, […], page 151, column 2:
4 more examples
- Who did not hear the Hertfordshire predictress, / E’en in the council-room, assure our men / These measures were approved of from above, / And ratified by heavenly sanction?1842, E[benezer] Cobham Brewer, “[Dialogues.] The Trial of King Charles I.”, in School Recitations, Selected from Various Authors, and Disposed under Proper Heads, London: […] Thomas Allman, […], pages 320–321:
- But it cannot be dissembled (since he was unwilling to leave anything in this direction untried) that when a youth he was led by his inquisitiveness to the study of astrology, which is said to be the predictress of future events; […]1863 January, Arnold Polenburg, unknown translator, “Funeral Oration upon Stephen Curcellæus”, in D[aniel] D. Whedon, editor, Methodist Quarterly Review, volume XLV; fourth series, volume XV, New York, N.Y.: […] Carlton & Porter, […], page 96:
- “I tell you, there is nothing but a blank!” repeated the woman whom the predictress had said, was christened “Marie.”1901, Victor Hugo, translated by Henry L[lewellyn] Williams, “Face to Face”, in Red Robe and Grey Robe; or Richelieu Defied, New York, N.Y.: R[obert] F. Fenno & Company, […], translation of Marion Delorme, page 130:
- The “Annual Register” for 1809 contains an extract from a remarkable letter, dated Bath, April 2nd, in which the writer describes the effects of an extraordinary panic arising from a supposed prophecy of the end of the world. The account is headed “Bath Credulity,” and the writer states:—“A report was circulated that a certain infallible prophet, or prophetess, had predicted that an earthquake would be severely felt in Bath on Good Friday, and that Mount Beacon and Beechen Cliff, two immense hills situate at the north and south extremities of the town, should meet, and, of course, destroy and swallow up houses, inhabitants, pigs, and poultry. Some affirmed that Joanna Southcott was the predictor, others that it was a prophet now living at Midford, near this city, who was with Noah in the Ark, and has been travelling over various parts of the world ever since; but the greater part affixed the name of a female fortune-teller residing at Bath. Though they could not fix on any particular prophet, yet all agreed there had been such a predictress, and thousands implicitly believed the event would take place.[…],” etc.1907 April 6, “Curiosities of the Calendar”, in Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic, number 5,072, Cheltenham, Glos, page 8, column 4: