The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
prima donna assoluta — prima donna or prima donna assoluta /donˈə or donˈna/ noun (pl prima donnas or prime donne / nā/ assolute) 1. The leading female singer in an opera company (without rival) 2. (prima donna) a person, esp a woman, who is temperamental, over… … Useful english dictionary
Prima donna — Pri ma don na; pl. E. {Prima donnas}, It. {Prime Donne . [It., fr. primo, prima, the first + donna lady, mistress. See {Prime}, a., and {Donna}.] The first or chief female singer in an opera. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
prima donna — meaning ‘chief female singer’ of a company or ‘a temperamentally self important person’, has the plural form prima donnas. The adjectival form, in the allusive meaning, is prima donna ish … Modern English usage
prima donna — prima don|na [ˌpri:mə ˈdɔnə US ˈda:nə] n [Date: 1700 1800; : Italian; Origin: first lady ] 1.) the most important woman singer in an ↑opera company 2.) someone who thinks that they are very good at what they do, and demands a lot of attention and … Dictionary of contemporary English
Prima donna — Originally used in opera companies, prima donna is Italian for first lady . The term was used to designate the leading female singer in the opera company, the person to whom the prime roles would be given. The prima donna was normally, but not… … Wikipedia
prima donna — [[t]pri͟ːmə dɒ̱nə[/t]] prima donnas 1) N COUNT A prima donna is the main female singer in an opera. Her career began as prima donna with the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company. 2) N COUNT (disapproval) If you describe someone as a prima donna, you… … English dictionary
prima donna — UK [ˌpriːmə ˈdɒnə] / US [ˌprɪmə ˈdɑnə] noun [countable] Word forms prima donna : singular prima donna plural prima donnas 1) the most important female singer in an opera 2) someone who thinks that they are very important or special, and who is… … English dictionary
prima donna — n. (pl. prima donnas) 1 the chief female singer in an opera or opera company. 2 a temperamentally self important person. Derivatives: prima donna ish adj. Etymology: It … Useful english dictionary
prima donna — noun (plural prima donnas) Etymology: Italian, literally, first lady Date: 1782 1. a principal female singer in an opera or concert organization 2. a vain or undisciplined person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team … New Collegiate Dictionary
prima donna — /pree meuh don euh, prim euh/; It. /prddee mah dawn nah/, pl. prima donnas, It. prime donne /prddee me dawn ne/. 1. a first or principal female singer of an opera company. 2. a temperamental person; a person who takes adulation and privileged… … Universalium
