‖ monseigneur
(mɔ̃sɛnjœr)
Pl. messeigneurs (mɛsɛnjœr). Forms: 7 montseigneur, -senior, mount-segnior, -senior, mons(e)igneur, 7– monseigneur.
[F., f. mon my + seigneur lord. Cf. seigneur.]
1. A French title of honour given to persons of eminence, esp. to princes, cardinals, archbishops, and bishops. Abbreviated Mgr. † In absolute use: The title conferred since the time of Louis XIV upon the Dauphin of France. Obs.
| 1610 Histrio-m. E ij, Every Pedlers French is term'd Monsigneur. 1698 M. Lister Journ. Paris (1699) 195 The chief of the Blood Royal are lodged here, viz. the King, Monseigneur the Dauphin, and the 3 Grandsons [etc.]. Ibid. 201 Monseigneur had been but lately possessed of it [sc. Meudon]. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl., Monseigneur, in the plural Messeigneurs, a title of honour and respect used by the French. Ibid., Monseigneur..is a quality now restrained to the dauphin of France. 1859 Dickens T. Two Cities ii. vii, Monseigneur, one of the great lords in power at the Court, held his fortnightly reception. 1871 E. C. G. Murray Member for Paris III. 331, ‘I drink to the health of Monseigneur le Duc de Hautbourg’, cried M. Ballanchu. |
† 2. Used for monsignor. Obs.
| 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 96 First he [Doctor Lewis] was made Montseigneur. 1601 Imp. Consid. Sec. Priests (1675) 55 And when was that, our great Monseigneurs? 1660 Fisher Rusticks Alarm Wks. (1679) 589 The Pope, and his Cardinals Mount Seniors, Jesuits [etc.]. |