English

Noun

mistress-ship ‎(usually uncountable, plural mistress-ships)

1. Alternative spelling of mistressship
   • 1632, Massinger, Philip, “The City Madam”, in Gifford, William, editor, The Plays of Philip Massinger, Act 4, Scene 4, published 1845, page 400:

     Your father was / An honest country farmer, goodman Humble. / By his neighbours ne'er call'd Master. Did your pride / Descend from him? but let that pass: your fortune, / Or rather your hunsband's industry, advanced you / To the rank of a merchant's wife. He made a knight, / And your sweet mistress-ship ladyfied,