mistresss

Note: The standard spelling is mistress; “mistresss” appears to be a misspelling rather than a distinct term.

Mistress is a gendered noun with two primary contemporary senses. In common usage, it denotes a woman who maintains a long-term romantic or sexual relationship with a man who is married or otherwise committed to someone else. The term is often associated with secrecy, social stigma, and power dynamics within the involved relationships. Historically, it could also refer to a woman who held a position of authority or ownership within a household, such as a female head of the household, derived from the Old French maistresse.

Etymology and history: The word derives from Old French maistresse, from Latin magistra, the feminine form of master. In earlier centuries the domestic sense of mistress was common, meaning a mistress of the house or a female guardian. Over time, the usage shifted in many languages toward the sense of a woman involved in an extramarital or clandestine relationship, which remains the predominant meaning today.

Contemporary usage and context: The term is strongly gendered and carries varying connotations across cultures. In some contexts, people may prefer neutral terms such as lover or paramour, depending on the nature of the relationship and social attitudes toward monogamy and fidelity. The concept also intersects with discussions of consent, power, and ethics in relationships.

Legal and social considerations: In modern many jurisdictions, adultery is not a criminal offense, though historical civil actions such as criminal conversation or alienation of affections arose in some places. Today such actions are uncommon, and social repercussions—such as stigma and impact on families—are often the primary concerns.

See also: adultery, extramarital affair, lover, paramour, kept woman, courtesan.