Etymology Map
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Empress

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a female emperor or an emperor's wife

Where does the word "empress" come from? It comes from Latin imperatrix, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
imperatrix
Latin · ancient
"female commander"
from 'imperare', to command, the root of 'emperor'
2
Stage 2 of 3
emperesse
Old French · medieval
"empress"
an emperor's wife or a reigning female ruler
3
Stage 3 of 3
empress
English · 1100s
"empress"
Empress Matilda claimed the English throne in the 1140s
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Read the full story

Empress’s story begins in Latin: imperatrix meant “female commander.” From 'imperare', to command, the root of 'emperor'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as emperesse. An emperor's wife or a reigning female ruler. It reached English by 1100s as empress. Empress Matilda claimed the English throne in the 1140s. Today, empress means a female emperor or an emperor's wife.