Plural of bourgeoise; multiple women of the middle or merchant class.
French plural of 'bourgeoise' with the standard '-es' ending.
Historians love this word because they can talk about a whole group of merchant-class women with specific interests and power—the plural reminds us these weren't isolated individuals but a whole social movement!
The French feminine plural marks class distinction. The gendered form historically naturalized women's association with bourgeois domesticity and consumption—a social role assigned rather than chosen. This reinforced the erasure of bourgeois women's labor, property ownership, and intellectual contributions.
Use 'bourgeoisie' (gender-neutral collective) or specify context without defaulting to gendered forms. When discussing gender-specific historical roles, acknowledge these were constructed hierarchies, not inherent traits.
["bourgeoisie","members of the bourgeoisie","bourgeois class members"]
Bourgeois women were merchants, patrons, landowners, and intellectuals—their roles were obscured by feminine grammatical forms that emphasized domestic performance. Historical records show women's capital accumulation and business acumen were central to bourgeois expansion.
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