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dulcinea

American  
[duhl-sin-ee-uh, duhl-suh-nee-uh] / dʌlˈsɪn i ə, ˌdʌl səˈni ə /

noun

  1. a ladylove; sweetheart.


dulcinea British  
/ ˌdʌlsɪˈnɪə /

noun

  1. a man's sweetheart

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of dulcinea

First recorded in 1740–50; after Dulcinea the ladylove of Don Quixote

Vocabulary lists containing dulcinea

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sir C. Namely, that this dulcinea has started up in the shape of Miss Alscrip's musical companion—Her name is Alton.

From The Heiress; a comedy, in five acts by Burgoyne, John

Sometimes one hears the sound of the drum and the dulcinea, a pipe played with one hand, and used to provide music for village dances in many parts of Spain.

From The Story of Seville by Hartley, C. Gasquoine (Catherine Gasquoine)

Well, sir, "come what come might," I stole under cover of the darkness to the dwelling of my dulcinea.

From Tales of a Traveller by Irving, Washington

It was what the king said to the queen, the prince to the princess, the duke to the lady, the gardener to the maid, the troubadour to his dulcinea.

From A Certain Rich Man by White, William Allen

I am just going to ride, and shall make it in my way to call and inquire after the health of my dulcinea.

From The Coquette The History of Eliza Wharton by Foster, Hannah Webster

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