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Answer: The feminine form of “lion” is “lioness”.
In English, nouns have masculine and feminine forms. When we talk about animals, these nouns help in defining the gender. For example, the feminine form of the noun lion is “lioness”. We obtained lioness by adding the suffix ‘’-es’’ to the masculine noun ‘’lion’’. This is a common method to form feminine nouns. For example, we use it for a tiger as well. The feminine noun for tiger becomes tigress. Similarly, the actor becomes an actress. In this article, we will look at the characteristics of a Lioness, common misconceptions, and some examples
Characteristics of a Lioness
The feminine form of the noun Lion is Lioness. Lioness refers to a female lion. Lionesses play an important role. They are mainly responsible for hunting and providing food. Unlike the male lions, lionesses do not have manes (long hair that grows around the neck and head). Thus, they are more agile as hunters.
Common Misconceptions
The feminine form of the noun Lion is Lioness. However, mainly people mistakenly use other terms. Here are some common misconceptions about the feminine form of the noun Lion.
- Liona – Liona is not a word in the English language. Therefore, it is not correct.
- Lionine- This seems like a possible term. However, this is also not incorrect. We do not use this word for female lions.
- She-lion: This term helps you to understand that the person using it is referring to a female LIon. However, this term is also incorrect.
The correct term is “lioness”. You need to add “-ess” to “lion” to arrive at this noun. The term “lioness” has been used in English since the 14th century. It is taken from the old French word “lionnesse,”
Examples of Masculine and Feminine Animal Nouns
Here are some examples of masculine and feminine nouns.
| Masculine | Feminine |
| Lion | Lioness |
| Dog | Bitch |
| Tiger | Tigress |
| Bull | Cow |
| Horse | Mare |
By understanding the gender specific nouns, you can bring clarity in your communication. In case of the noun Lion, you need to add ‘’ess’’ towards the end. Thus, you will arrive at Lioness- the feminine form of the noun Lion.
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