-rix

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ɹɪks/

Origin

From numerous Latinate feminine agent nouns, re-inforced by Latin -trīx.

Suffix

1. (dated) A suffix appended to words, chiefly verbs, to form female agent nouns.

Usage notes

For masculine agent nouns ending in -or, the feminine equivalent ending in -rix is the etymologically consistent form; however, in some cases the common feminine form has changed to become the one ending in -ess instead. For the sake of example, consider that the common feminine form of actor is actress, and no longer the earlier form actrix.

Relatively dated and not especially productive in modern English, where either gender-neutral terms or other suffixes, notably -ess, are generally preferred, as in actress rather than dated actrix.

Notably used in dominatrix, and, due to the popularity of this term, has some other use in erotic contexts.

Derived terms

• Note that some of these derived terms may have been borrowed directly from Latin, rather than formed in English.

Synonyms

• -a
• -enne
• -ess
• -ette
• -euse
• -or
• she-