doyenne

See also: doyenné

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French doyenne.

Pronunciation

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛn

Noun

doyenne (plural doyennes)

1. A female doyen.
2. The senior or eldest female member of a group, especially one who is most or highly respected.

   Helen Thomas is frequently referred to as "the doyenne of the White House press corps".

3. A woman who is highly experienced and knowledgeable in a particular field, subject, or line of work; expert

Synonyms

• grande dame

Translations

female doyen

• French: doyenne (fr) f
• Russian: специали́стка (ru) f (specialístka), профессиона́лка (ru) f (professionálka)

oldest female in group

• French: doyenne (fr) f

French

Etymology

From doyen +‎ -enne.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /dwa.jɛn/
• Rhymes: -ɛn

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

doyenne f (plural doyennes)

1. the oldest woman

   Jeanne Calment, la doyenne de l'humanité.

2. a female dean at an educational establishment (Canada)

Related terms

• doyen (the oldest man)

References

• Dictionary entry for "Doyenne"

Further reading

• “doyenne”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.