Monsignor

or mon·si·gnor

[mon-see-nyer; Italian mawn-see-nyawr]

See more synonyms for Monsignor on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural Mon·si·gnors, Italian Mon·si·gno·ri

[mawn-see-nyaw-ree] /ˌmɔn siˈnyɔ ri/. Roman Catholic Church.

a title conferred upon certain prelates.
a person bearing this title.

Origin of Monsignor

1635–45; < Italian < French Monseigneur monseigneur; see signor

Related formsmon·si·gno·ri·al

[mon-seen-yawr-ee-uh l, -yohr-] /ˌmɒn sinˈyɔr i əl, -ˈyoʊr-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for monsignor

evangelist, cleric, pontiff, rabbi, pastor, preacher, priest, chaplain, bishop, missionary, shepherd, vicar, curate, primate, clerk, father, abbey, cardinal, parson, rector

Examples from the Web for monsignor

Contemporary Examples of monsignor

The monsignor title has been around for centuries, for even longer than Goldman Sachs has existed.
How Pope Francis’s Management Strategies Could Fix Wall Street
Chris Lowney
January 26, 2014
An opening letter by Monsignor Robert Weiss, a pastor at Saint Rose of Lima Parish, in Newtown, CT, sets the tone.
This Week’s Hot Reads: Dec. 9, 2013
Damaris Colhoun
December 9, 2013
The monsignor there agreed to offer a blessing when Capone was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery.
Never Mind El Chapo: Chicago’s Real Public Enemy No. 1 Is the Shorties
Michael Daly
February 17, 2013
A “figure” apparently meaning the quantity of meth the monsignor should bring.
Monsignor Meth Kevin Wallin: The Kinky Priest Who Sold Meth
Michael Daly
January 22, 2013
The story of Monsignor Kevin Wallins seems like a script pulled out of the Showtime offices.
Meth in a "Female" Priest's Rectory?
Ilana Glazer
January 18, 2013

Historical Examples of monsignor

"Why, a fortnight or perhaps three weeks, Monsignor," replied Pierre.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
If Monsignor Palma proves obstinate his Holiness will never consent.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
Monsignor Nani smiled with his usual amiable yet keen expression.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
Still smiling, Monsignor Nani listened and nodded approvingly.
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola
As he had said to Monsignor Fornaro, could the Pope disavow him?
The Three Cities Trilogy, Complete
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for monsignor

Monsignor

noun plural Monsignors or Monsignori (Italian monsiɲˈɲoːri)

RC Church an ecclesiastical title attached to certain offices or distinctions usually bestowed by the PopeAbbreviation: Mgr, Msgr

Word Origin for Monsignor

C17: from Italian, from French Monseigneur

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

Word Origin and History for monsignor

title conferred on some prelates, 1640s, from Italian monsignore "my lord," formed on model of French monseigneur (see monseigneur) from equivalent elements in Italian.