Masculine of Nouns starting with 'H'

The masculine of Headmistress is Headmaster.

Modern Usage: These terms are specific to schools, especially in British English. The modern, gender-neutral terms are Principal or Head Teacher.

Definitions:

• A Headmistress is a woman in charge of a school.
• A Headmaster is a man in charge of a school.

Examples:

• The new headmistress implemented several positive changes at the school.
• Professor Dumbledore was the famous headmaster of Hogwarts.
• The school's principal addressed the students at the assembly. (Neutral)

The masculine of Heiress is Heir.

Rule: The feminine form is created by adding the "-ess" suffix.

Modern Usage: "Heiress" is still commonly used for a female heir to a great fortune. However, the word "Heir" is increasingly used as a common gender noun, especially for titles and monarchies.

Examples:

• She was a wealthy heiress who inherited her family's shipping empire.
• Prince Charles was the heir to the British throne for many years.
• Princess Victoria of Sweden is the heir apparent to the Swedish throne. (Neutral usage of 'heir')

The masculine of Heroine is Hero.

Rule: The feminine form adds the suffix "-ine".

Modern Usage: While "Heroine" is still common, especially in literary contexts, the word Hero is often used as a common gender noun to refer to any person admired for courage or outstanding achievements.

Examples:

• Wonder Woman is a famous comic book heroine.
• The firefighter who saved the child was hailed as a local hero. (Can be male or female)
• He was the hero of the story, destined to save the kingdom.

The masculine of Hostess is Host.

Rule: The feminine form is created by adding "-ess".

Modern Usage: Host is now the standard common gender noun for a person who receives or entertains guests, or who presents a broadcast show.

Examples:

• The hostess greeted each guest warmly at the door.
• He is the host of a popular late-night talk show.
• Our host for the evening has prepared a wonderful meal. (Neutral)

The masculine of Huntress is Hunter.

Modern Usage: "Huntress" is a somewhat archaic or literary term. Hunter is the standard common gender noun for a person who hunts.

Examples:

• Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt, is often depicted as a huntress. (Literary/mythological context)
• The hunter tracked the deer for miles through the forest. (Neutral)

The masculine of a Heifer is a Bullock or Steer.

Rule: These terms refer specifically to young cattle.

• Feminine: Heifer (a young female cow that has not yet had a calf)
• Masculine: Bullock or Steer (a young, castrated male bovine raised for beef)

Note: An uncastrated young male is a young bull.

Example:

• The farmer bought a young heifer to add to his dairy herd.
• The bullock was raised on the farm for its meat.

The masculine of a Hen is a Rooster or Cock.

Rule: This pair uses completely different words for the male and female of the chicken species.

• Feminine: Hen
• Masculine: Rooster or Cock

Example:

• Each hen in the coop lays about one egg per day.
• The crow of the rooster signaled the start of a new day.

The masculine of a Hind is a Stag or Hart.

Rule: These specific terms refer to the adult female and male of the red deer.

• Feminine: Hind (an adult female red deer)
• Masculine: Stag or Hart (an adult male red deer)

Example:

• The hind grazed peacefully with her fawn.
• The magnificent stag, with its large antlers, is often called the 'monarch of the glen'.

The word Horse is a common gender noun. The specific terms for adult horses are Stallion and Mare.

• Feminine: Mare (an adult female horse)
• Masculine: Stallion (an adult male horse, not castrated)

Note: A castrated male horse is a Gelding.

Example:

• She rode her beautiful black mare in the competition.
• The wild stallion was the leader of the herd.

Traditionally, Heir is a masculine noun, with Heiress as the feminine form. However, in modern usage, especially when referring to titles or succession, Heir is now used as a common gender noun.

Example:

• The eldest son was the heir to the family fortune. (Masculine)
• Princess Leonor is the heir to the Spanish throne. (Common Gender Usage)

The word Hunter is the masculine of Huntress, but it is now the standard common gender noun for anyone who hunts animals.

Example:

• She is a skilled hunter and tracker. (Common Gender Usage)