Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Nearby Words

duenna

 - 2 dictionary results

du⋅en⋅na

  [doo-en-uh, dyoo-]
Use duenna in a Sentence
–noun
1. (in Spain and Portugal) an older woman serving as escort or chaperon of a young lady.
2. a governess.
Origin:
1660–70; < Sp duenna (now dueña) < L domina, fem. of dominus master

Related forms:
du⋅en⋅na⋅ship, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To duenna
Word Origin & History

duenna 
1668, "chief lady in waiting upon the queen of Spain," also "an elderly woman in charge of girls from a Sp. family," from Sp. dueña "married lady, mistress" (fem. of dueño "master"), from L. domina. Sense extended in Eng. to "any elderly woman chaperon of a younger woman" (1708).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see duenna on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way