doyenne

Etymology

Borrowed from French doyenne.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɛn

Noun

doyenne (plural doyennes)

1. A female doyen.
2. The senior or eldest female member of a group, especially one who is most or highly respected.

   Helen Thomas is frequently referred to as "the doyenne of the White House press corps."

3. A woman who is highly experienced and knowledgeable in a particular field, subject, or line of work; expert

Noun

doyenne f (plural doyennes)

1. The oldest woman.

   Jeanne Calment, la doyenne de l' humanité.

2. A female dean at an educational establishment (Canada)

References

• Dictionary entry for "Doyenne"

Further reading

• “doyenne” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).