Catalan

Suffix

-essa f

1. -ess (female)

Usage notes

This suffix is non-productive in modern Catalan, with either the usual feminine termination -a being employed, or the noun having a single form for both genders.

Derived terms

• See Category:Catalan words suffixed with -essa

Italian

Etymology

From Latin -issa, from Ancient Greek -ισσα ‎(-issa).

Suffix

-essa

1. -ess

Usage notes

• Mostly used to form the feminine of animate nouns. e.g. barone => baronessa
• Sometimes used ironically or in a disparaging manner. e.g. medico => medichessa