noun
chivalrous woman; gallant female
Archaic term for a woman who displays chivalrous or gallant behavior, akin to a female knight-errant. Rare in modern usage.
江戸時代の物語には、女伊達が登場することがある。
In stories from the Edo period, a chivalrous woman sometimes appears.
Compound of 女 (onna, 'woman') and 伊達 (date, 'dandy' or 'chivalrous man'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows the pattern of 男伊達 (otokodate).