soubrette
[ soo-bret ]
/ suˈbrɛt /
noun
a maidservant or lady's maid in a play, opera, or the like, especially one displaying coquetry, pertness, and a tendency to engage in intrigue.
an actress playing such a role.
any lively or pert young woman.
Nearby words
sou-sou, sou., souari nut, soubise, soubresaut, soubrette, soubriquet, soucar, souchong, soudan, souffle
Origin of soubrette
1745–55; < French: lady's maid < Provençal soubreto, derivative of soubret affected, ultimately derivative of Old Provençal sobrar < Latin superāre to be above
Related forms
sou·bret·tish, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for soubrette
British Dictionary definitions for soubrette
soubrette
/ (suːˈbrɛt) /
noun
a minor female role in comedy, often that of a pert lady's maid
any pert or flirtatious girl
Derived Forms
soubrettish, adjectiveWord Origin for soubrette
C18: from French: maidservant, from Provençal soubreto, from soubret conceited, from soubra to exceed, from Latin superāre to surmount, from super above
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