prima donna

views updated Jun 11 2018

pri·ma don·na / ˌprimə ˈdänə; ˌprēmə/ • n. the chief female singer in an opera or opera company. ∎  a very temperamental person with an inflated view of their own talent or importance.DERIVATIVES: pri·ma don·na-ish adj.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

prima donna

views updated May 11 2018

prima donna (It.). First lady. Orig. the chief woman singer in an opera cast, but term has been generalized to mean a leading woman singer. Thus, for orig. meaning, one has to use term prima donna assoluta, ‘the absolute first lady’. The same process has occurred in ballet with prima ballerina assoluta.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

prima donna

views updated May 18 2018

prima donna the chief female singer in an opera or opera company; in extended use, a very temperamental person with an inflated view of their own talent or importance.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

Prima Donna

views updated Jun 11 2018

Prima Donna. Comic opera in 1 act by A. Benjamin to lib. by Cedric Cliffe. Comp. 1933, prod. London 1949, Philadelphia 1955.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

prima donna

views updated Jun 08 2018

prima donna XVIII. — It., ‘first lady’.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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