† metressen.
Obsolete.
In the representation of English spoken by a French person (in quot. 1600: a German): a mistress, one's mistress; esp. as a title or form of address. Cf. metreza n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [noun] > for woman
mistress?a1425
your (also occasionally thy) mistress-ship?1461
sir1578
goodwife1593
metresse1600
metreza1604
sirrah1604
mistershipa1616
Mrsa1637
ma'am1671
citess1793
Mis'1835
mem1890
1600 T. Dekker Shomakers Holiday sig. G4v Forware metresse, tis vn good skow, it sal vel dute, or ye sal neit betallen.
1664 G. Etherege Comical Revenge ii. i. 15 It be de voundé Dat my Metresse did give me long agoe.
1691 T. D'Urfey Love for Money iii. i. 31 My dear Sweet pret Metresse Betty in disguise.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
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n.1600