A Handbook of the English Language

by R. G. Latham

genitor = a father, we have a nearer approach to gender. Here the difference of sex is expressed by a difference of termination; the words genitor and genitrix being in a true etymological relation, i.e., either derived from each other, or from some common source. With this we have, in English corresponding modes of expression: e.g.

Male.	Female.	Male.	Female.
Actor	Actress.	Lion	Lioness.
Arbiter	Arbitress.	Peer	Peeress.
Baron	Baroness.	Poet	Poetess.
Benefactor	Benefactress.	Sorcerer	Sorceress.
Count	Countess.	Songster	Songstress.
Duke	Duchess.	Tiger	Tigress.

[§ 183]. This, however, in strict grammatical language, is an approach to gender rather than gender itself; the difference from true grammatical gender being as follows:—

Let the Latin words genitor and genitrix be declined:—

Sing. Nom.	Genitor	Genitrix.
Gen.	Genitor-is	Genitric-is.
Dat.	Genitor-i	Genitric-i.
Acc.	Genitor-em	Genitric-em.
Voc.	Genitor	Genitrix.
Plur. Nom.	Genitor-es	Genitric-es.
Gen.	Genitor-um	Genitric-um.
Dat.	Genitor-ibus	Genitric-ibus.
Acc.	Genitor-es	Genitric-es.
Voc.	Genitor-es	Genitric-es.

The syllables in italics are the signs of the cases and numbers. Now those signs are the same in each word, the difference of meaning (or sex) not affecting them.

[§ 184]. Contrast, however, with the words genitor

and genitrix the words domina = a mistress, and dominus = a master.

Sing. Nom.	Domin-a	Domin-us.
Gen.	Domin-æ	Domin-i.
Dat.	Domin-æ	Domin-o.
Acc.	Domin-am	Domin-um.
Voc.	Domin-a	Domin-e.
Plur. Nom.	Domin-æ	Domin-i.
Gen.	Domin-arum	Domin-orum.
Dat.	Domin-abus	Domin-is.
Acc.	Domin-as	Domin-os.
Voc.	Domin-æ	Domin-i.

Here the letters in italics, or the signs of the cases and numbers, are different; the difference being brought about by the difference of gender. Now it is very evident that, if genitrix be a specimen of gender, domina is something more.