chiefess
Tribal woman leader
A chiefess is a female chief—a woman who leads a tribe, clan, or indigenous community.
The term appears most often in reference to Hawaiian and Pacific Islander cultures, where women have historically held chiefly rank: The chiefess welcomed visitors to the island.
The word is somewhat old-fashioned; many now prefer simply calling such leaders chiefs regardless of gender.
One who guides others
- rulerOne who governs
- headUppermost body part
- commanderPerson with authority over others
- captainOne who commands
director · overseer · governor · administrator · sachem · headwoman · tribal leader · clan head
Female family leader
- ancestressFemale from whom one descends
- foremotherFemale forebear
- clan motherFemale kinship group leader
- elderSenior figure of authority
grandmother · progenitor · bloodline · kinship · heritage · matrilineage · descent · matriarchy
leader
One who guides others
captain · director · overseer · governor · administrator · sachem · headwoman · tribal leader · clan head · village head
matriarch
Female family leader
- ancestressFemale from whom one descends
- foremotherFemale forebear
- clan motherFemale kinship group leader
elder · grandmother · progenitor · bloodline · kinship · heritage · matrilineage · descent · matriarchy
noblewoman
Female of high birth
- aristocratPerson of noble birth
- duchessWoman of ducal rank
- countessFeminine noble rank
baroness · lady · viscountess · marquise · dame · highborn · peerage · royalty · regal · patrician
chief, chiefly, chiefs, chieftain, chieftaincy, chiefdom, chiefship, chieftainship, chieftainess