Definition of "mayoress"

The blonde mayoress was apparently a member of the MPLA and there were indications that spies in the town were sending radio messages to the enemy. Life was monotonous and the troops took to fishing to supplement their rations.

1993, Ian S. Uys, Bushman soldiers, their alpha and omega, page 39

With the Spanish port of Cadiz doubling for the Cuban capital Havana, its striking blonde Mayoress Teofila Martinez was offered a small role as a nurse, but she politely declined.

2002, Andy Lane, Paul Simpson, The Bond Files: An Unofficial Guide, page 276

To a Lady Majoress.WHen I behold your head and limbs all shakingMuch like a Custard newly come from baking,Your Velvet hood on tipto rais’d uprightAs if your Hinch boy challenge would to fight.Your pretty mouth, like Oyster gaping wide,As if it did expect ere long the tyde;Your Chin like Aple, both so red and shrivel’d,So scalded by a hot rhume hourly drivel’d.

1658, Iohn Eliot, Poems, or, Epigrams, Satyrs, Elegies, Songs and Sonnets, upon Several Persons and Occasions, London: […] Henry Brome, page 48

Prophets wives were anciently called Prophetesses; like as Bishops wives (saith à Lapide the Jesuit) were also called Bishoppesses, Presbyters wives Presbyteresses, Deacons wives Deaconesses: Jesuits have still their Jesuitesses, as Majors their Majoresses, &c.

1660, John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon These Following Books of Holy Scripture Proverbs of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel & Daniel: Being a Third Volume of Annotations upon the Whole Bible, London: […] Robert White, for Nevil Simmons, page 42

No Roman-Empress ever did out-shine,A Lady Majoress when she would be fine.

1681, The Glory of the English Nation, or An Essay on the Birth-Day of King Charles the Second, London: […] W. Bucknel