‖ mère
(mɛr, mɛə(r))
[Fr., mother.]
An identifying word appended to a name (usu. a surname) to distinguish her from others of the name.
| 1862 Queen Victoria Let. 12 Nov. in R. Fulford Dearest Mama (1968) 130 All you say about poor Marie Leiningen Mère interests me. 1881 Trollope Ayala's Angel I. xviii. 222, I am told by Tringle mère that I am less acceptable than old Traffick. 1947 M. Lowry Under Volcano i. 23 Taskerson mère had taken a fancy to the French boy. 1967 J. Fleming No Bones about It 98, I have never known Borgan père and mère attend a point-to-point. 1968 J. Haythorne None of us cared for Kate 15 Prentice mère has been bombarding the Secretary of State with letters. 1973 Listener 1 Nov. 607/3 The execution of Hugo mère's lover. |