Pronunciation: [lˈɔːndɹɛs] (IPA) 
The word laundress, which refers to a woman who washes and irons clothes for a living, is spelled with the combination of letters "au" in the middle of the word. The IPA phonetic transcription for laundress is /ˈlɔːndrəs/, which breaks down the pronunciation of each letter. The "au" sound can be heard as a long "aw" sound, while the "nd" is pronounced as a nasalized "n." The final "s" sound is pronounced with a soft hissing sound.
A laundress is an individual primarily engaged in the profession of washing and pressing clothes, linens, and other fabric-based items. The term typically refers to someone who performs this work as a trade, either independently or within an establishment such as a hotel, hospital, or laundry service.
The key role of a laundress is to ensure that clothing and other fabrics are thoroughly cleaned, sanitized, and properly cared for. This includes tasks such as sorting, washing, drying, ironing, folding, and occasionally mending or repairing garments. Laundresses typically possess knowledge of different fabric types, various cleaning products, and proper laundering techniques to achieve optimal results while minimizing damage or wear on the items being processed.
Laundresses often handle large volumes of laundry and must be efficient in managing their tasks to meet specific deadlines. They may operate specialized laundry equipment such as washing machines, dryers, steamers, and pressing machines. Additionally, laundresses may be responsible for stain removal, color retention, and garment preservation techniques.
Historically, the term "laundress" specifically referred to female workers, although the occupation is not exclusive to any gender. In the past, laundresses often worked in a domestic setting, assisting households in laundering their clothes, sheets, and other fabric items. However, the modern usage of the term includes laundresses working within institutional or commercial settings, providing laundering services to a broader customer base.
A woman whose employment is to wash and get up linen.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "laundress" originated from the Middle English term "laundere" or "lavendere", which was borrowed from Old French "lavandiere" (feminine form of "lavandier"). The Old French term can be traced back to Latin "lavandarius", derived from the verb "lavare", meaning "to wash". This Latin root gave rise to various related words in different Romance languages, such as "lavandero" in Spanish and "lavadeira" in Portuguese. Over time, the term "laundress" emerged in English to specifically refer to a woman who is involved in washing and laundering clothes professionally.
