Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
aviatrix

aviatrix

1 9.9
A woman who flies a plane
  • noun
  • /ˈeɪviˌeɪtrɪks/
  • Archaic
translation icon : aviadora
  • The famed aviatrix has been the subject of much speculation over her sexuality, no doubt fueled by what some have described as her boyish appearance.
  • Girl Aviatrix

Examples

  • The documentary highlighted the achievements of several female pilots, including one notable aviatrix who flew across the Atlantic.

  • Amelia Earhart, the aviatrix.

    Amelia (2009)

  • Meryl Fletcher is an aviatrix... a fine professional pilot.

    Zelig (1983)

  • I wanted readers to understand the future aviatrix's passion, so I added this tidbit:

    Academic text (2010)

  • Devil-may-care solo aviatrix Elly Datlow, rumored to have romanced many of the crowned heads of Europe, including the infamous Count Guccione.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Amelia Earhart was a courageous aviatrix who inspired many women to pursue aviation.

  • During World War II, many women served as aviatrix in the Air Transport Auxiliary, delivering planes to military bases.

Synonyms

aviator
vsaviatrix
37 4.6

A person who flies a plane or other aircraft

refers only to a woman who operates an aircraft
flier
vsaviatrix
  • US
19 4.2

A person who flies an aircraft as its pilot

refers only to a woman who operates an aircraft
aviatress
vsaviatrix
  • Archaic
9.9

A woman who flies a plane

is identical in meaning but is an alternative written form

How Experienced

ace
65 4.5
captain
611 1.1
aviatrix
  • Archaic
1 9.9
airplane pilot
  • US
1 3.2

Surface Forms

aviatrix singular
aviatrices plural

Morphology

aviatrix = aviator (semi-transparent) = aviator + trix

The meaning 'female pilot' is derivable from 'aviator' plus the feminine agentive suffix '-trix', but '-trix' is archaic and not productive in modern English, so learners may not fully expect or recognize it.

Etymology

Aviatrix comes from the Latin part avi- meaning 'bird' (the same root in aviation and aviary) plus the Latin ending -trix, which marks a woman who does something. So an aviatrix is literally a woman 'who flies like a bird', which is why the word means a female pilot.