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donzelle. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
donzelle, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
donzelle in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
donzelle you have here. The definition of the word
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French
Etymology
From Middle French dansielle, donselle, donzelle, from Old French donzele, borrowed from Old Occitan donçela, from Vulgar Latin *domnicella, from earlier *dominicella (literally “little maidenly (woman)”), from Classical Latin domina (“mistress”) + -ica + -ella. Compare also Italian donzella, Old Occitan donçela. Doublet of damoiselle and demoiselle.
Pronunciation
Noun
donzelle f (plural donzelles)
- (now rare, archaic) maiden, damsel
- (derogatory) little madam, young madam
Further reading
Italian
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /donˈd͡zɛl.le/
- Rhymes: -ɛlle
- Hyphenation: don‧zèl‧le
Noun
donzelle f pl
- plural of donzella (“maiden, damsel”)
Norman
Etymology
From Old French damoisele, from Vulgar Latin *domnicella, from Classical Latin domina (“mistress”), from domus (“house”), from Proto-Indo-European *dṓm, from root *dem- (“to build”).
Noun
donzelle f (plural donzelles)
- (Jersey) hussy