‖ signoria
(siɲoˈria)
[It., = Sp. señoria, Pg. senhoria, F. seigneurie: cf. signory.]
The governing body of some of the Old Italian republics, esp. that of Venice.
| 1549 Thomas Hist. Italie 79 b, All offices of preeminence, as of the Signoria. 1622 in Crt. & Times Jas. I (1848) II. 334 The Venetian ambassador gave notice of such a thing.., by order, as he said, from the signoria. 1686 W. Aglionby Painting Illustr. 362 When a Fisherman presents the Signoria of Venice with Saint Mary's Ring. 1763 Brit. Mag. IV. 327 His Excellency then made his speech to the Doge, and Signoria, in the English language. 1841 W. Spalding Italy & It. Isl. II. 276 Few towns appear to have fared so ill as Siena, in which..for the signoria he also nominated the first set of members. |