Dominatrix (plural dominatrixes or dominatrices) or mistress is a woman or women who takes the dominant role in bondage and discipline, dominance and submission or BDSM. A common form of address for a submissive to a dominatrix is "mistress", "ma'am", "domina" or "maƮtresse". Note that a dominatrix does not necessarily dominate a male partner; a dominatrix may well have female submissives.
The Dominatrix is a female archetype which operates on a symbolic mode of representation, associated with particular attire and props that are drawn on within popular culture to signify her role - as a strong, dominant, sexualised woman - linked to but distinct from images of sexual fetish.