‖ illustrissimo, a. and n.
(ɪləˈstrɪsɪməʊ, It. illuˈstrisimo)
(Anglicized illustrissim.)
[It., ad. L. illustrissimus, superl. of illustris (illustre a.).]
a. adj. Most illustrious; used as a title of courtesy in addressing or speaking of Italian nobles, whence sometimes applied to others. b. n. A man of noble rank, one of the Italian nobility.
| 1623 Webster Devil's Law Case ii. i, Your switching up at the horse-race, with the illustrissimi. 1681 Disc. Tanger 21 The Illustrissimo's of Tetuan. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1852) I. 475 Mynheer, dear Doctor, celeberrimous Doctor, insignite illustrissim Doctor. 1829 Scott Anne of G. xix, Nor will we sauce your mess with poison like the wily Italian, and call you all the time Illustrissimo and Magnifico. |