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Where does the word "empress" come from? It comes from Latin imperatrix, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).
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Where does the word "empress" come from? It comes from Latin imperatrix, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).
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.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient imperatrix "female commander", from 'imperare', to command, the root of 'emperor'.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval emperesse "empress", an emperor's wife or a reigning female ruler.
- Stage 3 · English · 1100s empress "empress", Empress Matilda claimed the English throne in the 1140s.