Masculine of Nouns starting with 'P'

The masculine of Paintress is Painter.

Modern Usage: "Paintress" is an archaic term. The word Painter is the standard common gender noun for any artist who paints.

Examples:

• Frida Kahlo was a celebrated Mexican painter. (Modern, neutral usage)
• Leonardo da Vinci is a world-famous painter.

The masculine of Pastoress is Pastor.

Modern Usage: "Pastoress" is very rare. Pastor is the standard common gender noun for a minister in charge of a Christian church.

Examples:

• The new pastor at our church is a woman. (Neutral)
• The pastor delivered an inspiring sermon.

The masculine of Patroness is Patron.

Modern Usage: While "Patroness" is still used, especially for a female patron saint, Patron is often used as a common gender noun for a person who gives financial or other support to a person, organization, or cause.

Examples:

• She was a well-known patroness of the arts.
• The museum thanked its generous patron for the donation. (Can be any gender)

The masculine of Peeress is Peer.

Definition: These terms refer to members of the nobility.

• A Peeress is a woman who holds a noble title, or the wife of a peer.
• A Peer is a member of the nobility in Britain or some other countries, such as a duke, marquess, earl, viscount, or baron.

Example:

• The peeress attended the opening of Parliament in her formal robes.
• A peer of the realm has a right to sit in the House of Lords.

The masculine of Poetess is Poet.

Modern Usage: "Poetess" is an archaic term. Poet is the standard common gender noun for any person who writes poetry.

Examples:

• Maya Angelou was a celebrated American poet. (Modern, neutral usage)
• William Shakespeare is famous not only as a playwright but also as a poet.

The masculine of Policewoman is Policeman.

Modern Usage: Both terms are now often replaced by the gender-neutral title Police Officer.

Examples:

• A police officer directed traffic around the accident. (Neutral)
• She served as a policewoman for ten years before retiring.

The masculine of Postmistress is Postmaster.

Modern Usage: Postmaster is often used as a gender-neutral title for the person in charge of a post office.

Examples:

• The village postmaster knew everyone's name.
• She was appointed as the new postmaster for the entire region. (Neutral usage)

The masculine of Priestess is Priest.

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

Note: The availability of these roles depends on the specific religion. Some have only priests, some have only priestesses, and some have both.

Examples:

• In ancient Greece, a priestess would tend the sacred flame at the temple.
• The Catholic priest celebrated Mass.

The masculine of Princess is Prince.

Rule: A core gender pair using the "-ess" suffix.

Definitions:

• A Princess is the daughter of a monarch, or the wife of a prince.
• A Prince is the son of a monarch.

Examples:

• Princess Diana was known for her charity work.
• Prince William is the heir to the British throne.

The masculine of Prioress is Prior.

Rule: These are titles for the heads of religious houses (priories).

Examples:

• The prioress was in charge of all the nuns in the priory.
• The prior led the monks in their daily prayers.

The masculine of Prophetess is Prophet.

Modern Usage: Prophet is now often used as a common gender noun for a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God.

Examples:

• In the Bible, Deborah is described as a prophetess.
• The ancient prophet warned the king of the coming invasion.

The masculine of Proprietress is Proprietor.

Modern Usage: "Proprietress" is archaic. Proprietor is the standard common gender noun for the owner of a business or a holder of property.

Examples:

• The proprietor of the shop greeted us at the door. (Neutral)
• She was the proud proprietor of a charming bed and breakfast.

The masculine of Protégée is Protégé.

Rule: Like fiancé/fiancée, these words are from French. The spelling indicates gender: two 'e's for feminine, one 'e' for masculine. The pronunciation is the same.

Definitions:

• A Protégée is a female person who is guided and supported by an older and more experienced or influential person.
• A Protégé is a male person receiving such guidance and support.

Examples:

• The young singer was the protégée of a famous opera star.
• The veteran politician took the ambitious young man as his protégé.

The masculine of a Peahen is a Peacock.

Rule: The gender is specified by the root word (hen/cock).

• Feminine: Peahen
• Masculine: Peacock

Note: The common gender name for the species is Peafowl.

Example:

• The peahen has duller brown and grey feathers.
• The peacock displayed his magnificent, iridescent tail feathers.

The word Pig is a common gender noun. The specific terms for adult pigs are:

• Feminine: Sow
• Masculine: Boar

Example:

• The sow was nursing her litter of piglets.
• A wild boar can be identified by its large tusks.

The masculine of a Pullet is a Cockerel.

Rule: These terms refer specifically to young chickens (less than a year old).

• Feminine: Pullet (a young hen)
• Masculine: Cockerel (a young rooster)

Example:

• The farmer expects the pullets to start laying eggs soon.
• The young cockerel was just beginning to crow in the mornings.

Pari is a proper noun, a name of Persian origin commonly used in India and other countries. It is a feminine name meaning "fairy". It does not have a masculine grammatical counterpart.

A Pen is the specific term for an adult female swan. Its masculine counterpart is a Cob.

• Feminine: Pen
• Masculine: Cob

Example:

• The graceful pen glided across the lake with her cygnets.
• The protective cob hissed at the dog that got too close.

Words like Prosecutrix (Prosecutor), Praetrix (Praetor), Proctoress (Proctor), and Protectress (Protector) are all archaic feminine forms. In modern English, the masculine form (Prosecutor, Praetor, Proctor, Protector) is used as the standard common gender noun for all.