1. a female ancestor
Usage: formal

Examples

• She traced her lineage back to a noble ancestress from the 16th century.
• The family portrait showed their ancestress wearing traditional clothing.
• Many women today honor their ancestress who fought for voting rights.
• The genealogist discovered that their ancestress had immigrated from Ireland.
• She felt a strong connection to her ancestress who had been a pioneering doctor.
• The museum displayed artifacts belonging to the town’s founding ancestress.