Lexic.us

Definition of Duenna

1. Noun. A woman chaperon.

Definition of Duenna

1. n. The chief lady in waiting on the queen of Spain.

Definition of Duenna

1. Noun. a chaperon of a young lady, usually an older woman. ¹

2. Noun. a governess or nanny. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Duenna

1. a governess [n -S] - See also: governess

Medical Definition of Duenna

1. Origin: Sp. Duena, dona, fr. L. Domina. See Dame. 1. The chief lady in waiting on the queen of Spain. 2. An elderly lady holding a station between a governess and companion, and appointed to have charge over the younger ladies in a Spanish or a Portuguese family. 3. Any old woman who is employed to guard a younger one; a governess. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Duenna

Literary usage of Duenna

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha by Miguel de ( Cervantes Saavedra, Henry Edward Watts (1888)
"CHAPTER L. Wherein is declared who 'were the enchanters and executioners who whipped the duenna, and pinched and scratched Don Quixote; with what befel the ..."

2. Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (1822)
"The duenna stood by in silence, not knowing what turn all this might take, ... I say, duenna, this same Gitana would make a useful assistant to you. ..."

3. Chief Contemporary Dramatists, Second Series: Eighteen Plays from the Recent by Thomas Herbert Dickinson (1921)
"THE duenna. Somebody intends, tomorrow, at the earliest roses of the dawn, ... THE duenna. That over, where might step in a moment, have a little talk? ..."

4. The British Drama: A Collection of the Most Esteemed Tragedies, Comedies (1854)
"The duenna, therefore, is like a few hours'con venation with a gentleman gifted by nature wi:S extraordinary wit, but too well educated to make an ..."

5. Memoirs of the Opera in Italy, France, Germany, and England by George Hogarth (1851)
"The music of The duenna, which first raised THOMAS LINLEY into notice as a composer, ... When Sheridan wrote The duenna, he called in the aid of his ..."

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