The word mistress has its roots in Middle English and comes from the Old French word maistresse, which is the feminine form of maistre (master). The Old French maistre itself derives from the Latin magister, meaning "teacher" or "chief," which is based on the root magis, meaning "more" or "greater."
Timeline of Development:
Latin:
Magister ("master, chief, teacher").
Root: Magis ("greater, more").
Old French:
Maistre ("master") → Feminine form Maistresse.
Middle English:
Borrowed from Old French as mistress, meaning a woman in a position of authority, control, or ownership.
Modern English:
Over time, the word broadened in meaning, often denoting:
A woman who has control or authority, e.g., "schoolmistress."
A female lover, particularly one in an extramarital relationship.
A woman skilled in a particular activity or art (now less common).
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