seamstress
UK: ˈsiːmstrəs | US: ˈsiːmstrəs
n. a woman who sews, especially one who earns her living by sewing
seamstress = seam<join fabric> + stress<female agent suffix>
- seam: From Old English seam, meaning "a joining of fabric." Evolved from Proto-Germanic *saumaz, related to stitching or sewing.
- stress: A feminine agent suffix derived from Old English -estre, used to form nouns denoting female roles (e.g., spinster, songstress).
Etymology Origin:
The word seamstress combines the practical act of sewing (seam) with a gendered occupational suffix (-stress), reflecting historical divisions in labor. The -stress suffix (from -estre) was productive in Middle English for female professions, contrasting with neutral -er (e.g., seamer is rare). Over time, seamstress became the standard term for a female sewer, while modern usage increasingly favors gender-neutral alternatives like sewer or tailor.
The seamstress expertly altered the wedding gown.
She worked as a seamstress in a bustling textile factory.
My grandmother was a skilled seamstress who made all our clothes.
The tailor hired a seamstress to assist with the intricate embroidery.
Historically, seamstresses were vital to garment production before industrialization.