‖ soirée, n.
(sware)
[F. soirée evening, evening party, f. soir evening:—L. sērum late hour, neut. of sērus late.]
An evening party, gathering, or social meeting. (See also swarry.) soirée dansante: see dansant a.
| 1793 F. Burney Jrnl. 8 Apr. (1972) II. 58 He asked how my Mother did? I said if he came any soiree, he would probably see. 1802 C. Wilmot Let. 3 Jan. in T. U. Sadleir Irish Peer on Continent (1920) 22 We have had abundant specimens of Plays, Balls, Soirées, Thé's, &c. 1820 Lady Granville Lett. (1894) I. 190, I had a soirée last night. 1836 in Col. Hawker Diary (1893) II. 107 We had a regular merry soirée on board, and did not leave till past nine. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh iii. 391 For exhibition in my drawing-rooms On zoologic soirées. 1892 Photogr. Ann. II. 621 Friends' Photographic Society... A soirée is held each winter. |
Hence soirée v. trans., to entertain at an evening party or parties. Also soiréean a., soiréety nonce-wds.
| 1826 Lady Granville Lett. (1894) I. 397 It has been hard work to dine and soirée all the people. 1834 Jekyll Corr. (1894) 328 This bustle and the eternity of parliamentary sittings keep London in a state of interest and soiréety. 1853 Jerdan Autobiogr. IV. 71 To be in readiness for the reception of the soiréean guests. |