Pronunciation: [mˈɪstɹəs] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "mistress" may seem confusing at first glance, but it actually follows a common pattern in English. The first syllable, "mis," is pronounced /mɪs/, like the word "miss." The second syllable, "tress," is pronounced /trɛs/, like the word "stress." Together, the word is pronounced /ˈmɪs.trəs/. While the word's meaning has evolved over time, its spelling has remained consistent since the early 15th century.
Mistress [mis-tris]
Noun:
1. A woman who is in a position of authority, control, or power over others; a female ruler, supervisor, or leader.
2. A woman who is skilled in a particular field, art, or profession, particularly one who is highly accomplished or sought after in her area of expertise.
3. A female lover or romantic partner, particularly in an extramarital relationship.
4. A woman who has control or influence over something, especially in an enjoyable or pleasurable sphere; a dominatrix or a woman who exercises control or dominance in a specific context or relationship.
5. In historical contexts, especially during the times of slavery, a woman who exercises ownership or control over slaves, particularly women, and functions as their overseer.
6. In historical contexts, particularly during the Middle Ages, a woman who acts as the head of a household, managing the estate, finances, and other affairs in the absence of the male head.
7. An outdated term for a woman who is skilled in needlework, embroidery, or other similar tasks.
Note: While the term "mistress" has had various nuanced meanings throughout history, it’s important to acknowledge that some definitions, such as those relating to extramarital relationships, may carry negative connotations or reinforce gender stereotypes.
The fem. of master; a woman who instructs or governs a school; a female teacher; a woman who governs or holds authority; a woman beloved and courted; a title or term of address applied to a married untitled woman, now contracted into and written Mrs; the female head of a family; a concubine; a woman who holds something in possession; a woman who has skill in something.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "mistress" originated from the Old English term "mǣġestre", which meant "female teacher or guardian". It is derived from the combination of the words "mǣġe" (meaning "kinship" or "female relative") and "stre" (meaning "female head of household" or "woman in authority"). Over time, the term evolved and gained various meanings, eventually referring to a woman who is in a position of authority or control, particularly in a sexual or romantic context.
