-trix

Pronunciation

• GA IPA: en, /tɹɪks/

Origin

From numerous Latinate feminine agent nouns.

Suffix

1. (dated)

Usage notes

For masculine agent nouns ending in -tor, the feminine equivalent ending in -trix is the etymologically consistent form; however, in some cases the common feminine form has changed to become the one ending in -ess instead. For example, 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, e.g. masturbatrix.

Synonyms

• -a
• -ess
• -ette
• she-

Derived terms

• Most of these derived terms were borrowed directly from Latin, rather than formed in English.