Authoresses

/ɔːˈθɒrɪsɪz/ noun

Definition

The plural form of authoress; multiple female authors or women who write books.

Etymology

Plural of 'authoress' formed by adding the standard English plural suffix '-es'. This reflects the same historical practice of marking gender in professional titles that has largely been abandoned in contemporary English.

Kelly Says

Hunting through old library catalogs and book lists, you'll notice 'authoresses' was commonly used to distinguish female writers, but this linguistic segregation actually mirrors how women authors were often reviewed and shelved separately from male 'authors'—language can hide or reveal inequality.

Ethical Language Guidance

Gender History

Plural of 'authoress'—same gendering issue. Marks women as a subcategory of authors.

Inclusive Usage

Use 'authors' (neutral) or 'woman authors' / 'female authors' (explicit). Avoid '-ess' plurals.

Inclusive Alternatives

["authors","woman authors","female authors"]

Empowerment Note

Women writers fought for recognition as 'authors,' not 'authoresses.' Using the unmarked term honors that linguistic reclamation.

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