‖ Dulcinea
(dʌlˈsɪnɪə, dʌlsɪˈniːə)
[Sp. deriv. of dulce sweet.]
The name given by Don Quixote to his mistress in Cervantes' romance; hence, A mistress, sweetheart, lady of one's devotion.
| 1748 Smollett Rod. Rand. (1812) I. 40 His dulcinea..persuaded him. 1777 G. Forster Voy. round World I. 404 Our sailors..took it for granted that their dulcineas were all of one name. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 134 note, The fables of knights errant and their persecuted dulcineas. 1829 Longfellow in Life (1891) I. 171. |