Etymology
From Middle English goddesse, equivalent to god + -ess, formed about 1350. The figurative meaning is first found in Spenser's Shepheardes calender (1579). Displaced Old English gyden.
Noun
goddess (plural goddesses)
- A female deity.
- In Norse mythology, Freyja was the goddess of fertility.
- A woman honored or adored as physically attractive or of superior charm and intelligence.
- A woman of substantial authority or influence.
- Cher is often called the goddess of pop music.
Derived terms
- demigoddess
- goddesship
- goddesshood
- goddesslike
- goddessly
- goddessship
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors copied and adjusted this Wiktionary entry in accordance with NWE standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit for this article is due to both New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions at Wiktionary is accessible to researchers here: