Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An honorific form of address for an eminent person in France, especially under the Ancien Régime.
  • noun Specifically, a title of the Dauphin of France.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Middle French monseigneur.

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Examples

  • With this guide, he arrives not only at the sanctuary of virtue, but at good canonships, at large commanderies, opulent abbeys, the crosiered and mitred abbots of which are called monseigneur by his monks and peasants, and to bishoprics which give the title of prince.

    A Philosophical Dictionary 2007

  • He liked to be called monseigneur; and looking me up and down, concluded the holy sisters had little to fear from me.

    Kilgorman A Story of Ireland in 1798 Talbot Baines Reed 1872

  • But now the person that had been called monseigneur came out of the city on a beautiful black horse.

    The Forty-Five Guardsmen Alexandre Dumas p��re 1836

  • "Yet nothing has been done to-day, monseigneur, which is not done every day."

    Ten Years Later Alexandre Dumas p��re 1836

  • A cloud passed over Buvat's eyes, and he opened his mouth to ask who it was that was being called monseigneur, but Ravanne did not leave him time.

    The Conspirators The Chevalier d'Harmental Alexandre Dumas p��re 1836

  • But he who had been called monseigneur turned towards Quelus, who was in front, and crossing his arms proudly, said:

    Chicot the Jester Alexandre Dumas p��re 1836

  • Lagardere, all watchfulness, could hear one of the shadows say to the other, "This way, monseigneur," and the word "monseigneur" made him wonder.

    The Duke's Motto A Melodrama 1898

  • And the word "monseigneur" came so painfully from the lips of Athos that it might be said it skinned them.

    The Vicomte De Bragelonne Alexandre Dumas p��re 1836

  • At the word "monseigneur," addressed not to the Prince of Orange, the new comer made a movement of surprise and joy, and advanced quickly to see better who was designated by this title.

    The Forty-Five Guardsmen Alexandre Dumas p��re 1836

  • The quarterback is the high priest of the occasion taking worthy advice from the monseigneur on the sidelines, advice he'd better heed and better execute perfectly if he ever wants these vestments laying on his shoulders ever again.

    Astroturf and Islam, Fourth and One: Punt or Go For It? 2009

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