Bess

A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.

Proper noun

  1. A diminutive of the female given name Elizabeth.
    • Come hither Beſſe, and let me kiſſe my Boy: […] - c. 1591–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Third Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First...
    • "Jack, couldn't you call me Bette again? You know how much I hate Bess. I don't know what's happened; you've been calling me Bette since we came to California and now, suddenly, you're calling me Bess." There's a long...
  2. A term applied to a fellow gay man, usually preceding an admonition.
    • Listen here, Bess.

Origin

Variant of Beth, a clipping of Elizabeth.

Derived

Bessbrook Bessie Bessy