The feminine form of the word “Author” is: ?

The correct answer, "B) Authoress," refers specifically to the feminine form of the noun "author." Traditionally, "authoress" was used to denote a female author, distinguishing her gender in contexts where such distinctions were deemed necessary. This term follows a linguistic pattern in English, where the addition of the suffix "-ess" is often used to create a female counterpart to a masculine noun, such as "governor" becoming "governess" and "actor" becoming "actress."

However, it is important to note that the use of "authoress" has become increasingly less common in modern English usage. Today, many prefer the gender-neutral term "author" to refer to individuals who create literary works, regardless of their gender. This shift reflects broader changes in societal attitudes towards gender and language inclusivity.

The other optionsA) "Authorss," C) "Authores," and D) "Authors"either represent incorrect forms or fail to designate a female author. "Authorss" and "Authores" are not recognized words, while "Authors" simply denotes multiple writers without any gender specification. Thus, while "authoress" is historically correct, the contemporary preference favors the unmarked term "author" for all genders.