Jewess

Jewess is a historical English noun that refers to a Jewish woman. It derives from the noun Jew with the feminine suffix -ess and has been attested since the Middle Ages. In early modern and nineteenth‑ and early twentieth‑century writing, it was a standard descriptive term and could appear in secular or religious contexts, as in period biographies, travel accounts, and newspapers. Because it is gendered and tied to a religious-ethnic identity, its reception has varied by era and locale.

In modern English, the term is generally regarded as archaic and can be perceived as outdated or pejorative, depending on context. Many editors and style guides advise using "Jewish woman" or "woman who is Jewish" when accuracy is needed without implying an essentializing or exoticizing attribute. The word survives mainly in historical quotations, literature from earlier periods, or discussions of language and bias.

As with other ethnoreligious descriptors, sensitivity to tone and context is important, and the choice of term should reflect respect for how people self-identify. While "Jewess" may appear in historical documents or academic discussions about language, contemporary usage tends toward neutral, person-first phrasing to avoid unnecessary stereotyping.