soubrette

See also Soubrette

English

Etymology

From French soubrette, from Occitan soubreto, the feminine of soubret ‘coy’, from soubra (Provençal sobrar), from Latin superare ‘be above’.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /suːˈbrɛt/
• Rhymes: -ɛt

Noun

soubrette (plural soubrettes)

1. A female servant or attendant, especially as mischievous or cheeky, often featuring in theatrical comedies
   • 1936, Henry Miller, Black Spring:

     And then too it was exhilarating to see the baron come sailing in with a pair of soubrettes on his arm – each time a different pair.

   • 1997, Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon:

     The servants in the hall tonight are whitely-wigged black slaves in livery of a certain grade of satin and refinement of lace,– black Major-domos and black Soubrettes.

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French

Etymology

From Occitan soubreto.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /subʁɛt/

Noun

soubrette f (plural soubrettes)

1. (theater) maid
2. (archaic except humorous) maid

Anagrams

• brouettes, brouettés

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Italian

Etymology

French

Noun

soubrette f (invariable)

1. showgirl