English
signora
Signora comes from Italian signora ‘female equivalent of signore’, and goes back to Medieval Latin senior ‘lord’.
- Medieval Latinc. 600–1500senior‘lord’
- Medieval Latin, derivedc. 600–1500seniōrafeminine form of senior
- Italianc. 1300–presentsignora‘female equivalent of signore’
- Englishearliest quotation 1896same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Medieval Latinc. 600–1500senior‘lord’
- Medieval Latin, derivedc. 600–1500seniōrafeminine form of senior
- Italianc. 1300–presentsignora‘female equivalent of signore’
- Englishearliest quotation 1896same form
Earliest quotation: 1896, Louise Chandler Moulton: “I waited, half thinking that they would walk toward…”
Linked words
through Medieval Latin senior ‘lord’
Today it means
noun Mrs; madam; title of address or respect for women in Italy.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Medieval Latin senior / signora