minoress

Etymology

Comes from Medieval Latin minorissa, formed from Latin minor (“little, lesser”) and -issa (“-ess”), shaped by Norman frere-menouresse and Middle French sereur meneuresse (“lesser sister”, from menour “minor” and -esse “-ess”), following the model of Medieval Latin Fratres Minores (“Lesser Brothers”), a name chosen by St. Francis to instil humility in the order's members. It is equivalent to minor + -ess, and a doublet of minoress and Sister Minor.