释义 |
‖ signora|siˈɲora| Also 7–8 signiora. [It. signora, = Sp. señora, Pg. senhora, a fem. formed on signore, etc.: see signor n.] A term of respect applied to Italian ladies, corresponding to ‘Mrs.’ and ‘Madam’ in English; hence (with a, the, etc.), a lady of Italian nationality. α1636Massinger Gt. Dk. Florence iv. i, I am in private to conferre a while With this Signiora. 1654Gayton Pleas. Notes i. vi. 19 The acts [of] Chivalry of the twenty four Signiora's. 1766[Anstey] Bath Guide x, But talks of the Op'ras and his Signiora, Cries bravo, benissimo, bravo, Encora. 1775Ann. Reg. ii. 63 Anecdotes of Signiora Gabrieli, the celebrated Opera Singer. β1766Smollett Trav. v. I. 64 An Italian signora makes no scruple of telling you [etc.]. 1806T. S. Surr Winter in London III. 39 ‘This is Francis's writing beyond all question,’ said the signora. 1821Byron in Moore Life (1832) V. 262 Got off my horse to walk in an avenue with a Signora for an hour. 1847C. Brontë J. Eyre xxvii, I sought my ideal of a woman amongst English ladies, French countesses, Italian signoras, and German Gräfinnen. I could not find her. |