don

¹

[ don; Spanish, Italian dawn ]

noun

1. (initial capital letter) Mr.; Sir: a Spanish title prefixed to a man's given name.
2. (in Spanish-speaking countries) a lord or gentleman.
3. (initial capital letter) an Italian title of address, especially for a priest.
4. a person of great importance.
5. (in the English universities) a head, fellow, or tutor of a college.
6. (in the Mafia) a head of a family or syndicate.

Don

²

[ don; Russian dawn ]

noun

1. a river flowing generally S from Tula in the Russian Federation in Europe, to the Sea of Azov. About 1,200 miles (1,930 km) long.
2. a river in NE Scotland, flowing E from Aberdeen county to the North Sea. 62 miles (100 km) long.
3. a river in central England, flowing NE from S Yorkshire to the Humber estuary. 60 miles (97 km) long.
4. a male given name, form of Donald.

don

³

[ don ]

verb (used with object)

, donned, don·ning.

1. to put on, as clothing or equipment:

   He donned his best shirt and tie for the interview.

   Donning goggles and fins, they dived off the raft one by one.

2. to assume or adopt, as a particular attitude, responsibility, etc.:

   The actress is all set to don a new role as first-time director of her own film.

Don

⁴

[ dawn ]

noun

, Welsh Mythology.

1. a goddess, the mother of Gwydion and Arianrod: corresponds to the Irish Danu.

don

⁵

[ dohn ]

conjunction

1. (in prescriptions) donec.

Don

¹

/ dɒn /

noun

1. a river rising in W Russia, southeast of Tula and flowing generally south, to the Sea of Azov: linked by canal to the River Volga. Length: 1870 km (1162 miles)
2. a river in NE Scotland, rising in the Cairngorm Mountains and flowing east to the North Sea. Length: 100 km (62 miles)
3. a river in N central England, rising in S Yorkshire and flowing northeast to the Humber. Length: about 96 km (60 miles)

don

²

/ dɒn /

noun

1. a member of the teaching staff at a university or college, esp at Oxford or Cambridge
2. the head of a student dormitory at certain Canadian universities and colleges
3. a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
4. (in the Mafia) the head of a family

Don

³

/ don; dɒn /

noun

1. a Spanish title equivalent to Mr : placed before a name to indicate respect

don

⁴

/ dɒn /

verb

1. tr to put on (clothing)

Word History and Origins

Origin of don¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Italian, Spanish, from Latin dominus “lord, master”

Origin of don²

First recorded in 1560–70; contraction of do ¹ + on; doff

Origin of don³

By shortening of Latin donec ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of don¹

C17: ultimately from Latin dominus lord

Origin of don²

C16: via Spanish, from Latin dominus lord; see don ²

Origin of don³

C14: from do ¹+ on ; compare doff

Example Sentences

Staff writer Don Lee in Washington and special correspondent Cecilia Sánchez Vidal in Mexico City contributed to this report.

From Los Angeles Times

This week, the less-than-dapper Don continues to nominate members of his Cabinet in a seemingly unending cavalcade of circus performers and reality television stars.

From Salon

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, after nearly 21 hours of nonstop, adrenaline-fueled broadcasting, Mason and his ABC colleague Don Ohlmeyer returned to the Sheraton Munich hotel, where they were staying in adjoining rooms.

From Los Angeles Times

During his tenure Shklyarov had impressed with contemporary and classical ballets alike, ranging from “The Nutcracker” and “Don Quixote” to George Balanchine’s “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux” and “Jewels.”

From Los Angeles Times

Over 20 years with the company, he danced leads across several productions, including Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Swan Lake and Romeo and Juliet.

From BBC

Related Words

• dress
• put on
• wear