arbitress

noun

1. A female arbiter.

   “1594, Samuel Daniel, The Tragedy of Cleopatra, Act III, in Delia and Rosamond augmented by Cleopatra, London: Simon Waterson, O Fearefull frowning NEMESIS, Daughter of IVSTICE, most seuere, That art the worlds great Arbitresse, And Queene of causes raigning heere.”

   “[…] while over head the Moon Sits Arbitress, and neerer to the Earth Wheels her pale course, they on thir mirth & dance Intent, with jocond Music charm his ear;”

   “[…] my Colour came and went several times, with Indignation to hear our noble Country, the Mistress of Arts and Arms, the Scourge of France, the Arbitress of Europe, the Seat of Virtue, Piety, Honour and Truth, the Pride and Envy of the World, so contemptuously treated.”

   “Those who have not watched the united operation of vanity and feeling on a youthful mind, will not conceive how much less formidable the ridicule of all his own sex will be to a very young man, than that of those women to whom he has been taught to look up as the arbitresses of elegance.”

   “On a stile in Haylane I saw a quiet little figure sitting by itself. I passed it as negligently as I did the pollard willow opposite to it: I had no presentiment of what it would be to me; no inward warning that the arbitress of my life—my genius of good or evil—waited there in humble guise.”