signorinan.
/ˌsiːnjɔːˈriːnə/, /ˌsiːnjəˈriːnə/, U.S. /ˌsinjəˈrinə/ 1. With omission of the person's name, or in substitution for it: a title of courtesy for or form of address to a young (usually unmarried) Italian woman. Also (in representations of the speech of Italian speakers): = miss n.2 3a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > nations > native or inhabitant of Europe > the Italians > [noun] > native or inhabitant of Italy > woman
Madonna1602
signora1607
signorina?1750
donzella1833
?1750 tr. G. A. Federico La Serva Padrona 8 Signorina you're Deceived, Too high, too high in Air you Soar.
1848 E. C. Grey Aline I. vi. 84 ‘Yes, Signorina’, he replied.
1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer (ed. 2) I. 72 My time is yours, signorina.
1910 S. Phillips Pietro of Siena ii. ii. 30 Ah, Signorina! Straightway from my lord, Pietro Tornielli, I have come, In the strong hope that you will speak to him.
1957 P. Glenville tr. G. Feydeau & M. Desvallieres Hotel Paradiso ii. 36 No, no! Signorina..you do not leave?
1994 R. Hellenga Sixteen Pleasures xiv. 229 Another time, Signorina, another time.
2. A title prefixed to the surname or (less commonly) the first name or full name of a young (usually unmarried) Italian woman, now equivalent to the English Miss.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous forms of address or title > [noun] > for woman > young unmarried > in languages other than English
mademoiselle?c1450
Mdlle.1785
signorina1786
señorita1850
1760 Public Advertiser 14 Feb. The vocal Parts by Signor Bombasto, La Signorina Tambourina, Sig. Gapatuno, [etc.].]
1786 Morning Herald 20 May Rope Vaulting, by Signior Richer the Little, and Signorina Richer, and a Child only three years old.
1826 Leeds Mercury 29 Apr. Signorina Marie Feleiste Garcia, late of the Italian Opera, London,..was married at New York.
1897 F. Podmore Stud. Psychical Res. vii. 212 Angelina was staying in the same house as Signorina Maria.
1935 Times 16 Apr. 14/2 Other members of the cast will be Signorinas Giri and Ticozzi and Signors Bettoni and Baracchi.
2007 M. P. Haddix Uprising 75 ‘I am Signorina Rossetti's employer,’ he said.
3. A person usually addressed as ‘Signorina’, a young (usually unmarried) Italian woman.
ΚΠ
1820 T. S. Hughes Trav. Sicily I. ii. 42 A long story about a beautiful signorina of ancient times.
1848 Caledonian Mercury 7 Feb. The Signorinas in their fans and mantillas.
1884 F. M. Crawford Rom. Singer (ed. 2) I. 31 The signorina was born here.
1949 E. Pound Pisan Cantos (new ed.) lxxxiii. 124 It comes over me that Mr Walls must be a ten-strike with the signorinas.
1997 Cucina Italiana Feb. 71/2 She was the first signorina who had the courage to ride the velocipede at the Pincio.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2011; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.?1750