taskmistress

[ task-mis-tris, tahsk- ]
/ ˈtæskˌmɪs trɪs, ˈtɑsk- /

noun

a woman whose function it is to assign tasks, especially burdensome ones, to others.
a woman who supervises others' work rigorously.

Origin of taskmistress

First recorded in 1595–1605; task + mistress

usage note for taskmistress

See -ess.

Words nearby taskmistress

task, task force, task-oriented, taskbar, taskmaster, taskmistress, taskwork, tasm., tasman, tasman sea, tasmania

Example sentences from the Web for task-mistress

  • For to-day, London, so long his task-mistress and gaoler, had assumed a new attitude towards him.

    The Far Horizon |Lucas Malet

  • She seems to stand to him rather in the position of a task-mistress than of a beneficent Being, ministering to his wants.

    The Roman Poets of the Republic |William Young Sellar

  • Indispensable though he was to his task-mistress, he yet, as in former days, vexed her.

    The Life of Florence Nightingale vol. 2 of 2 |Edward Tyas Cook

  • Looking in the face of her future task-mistress was scarcely calculated to awaken a very deep feeling of gratitude.

    The Cash Boy |Horatio Alger Jr.