Main Entry: mon·si·gnor

Pronunciation: \män-ˈsē-nyər, mən-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural monsignors or mon·si·gno·ri \ˌmän-ˌsēn-ˈyȯr-ē\

Etymology: Italian monsignore, from French monseigneur

Date: 1607

: a Roman Catholic prelate having a dignity or titular distinction (as of domestic prelate or protonotary apostolic) usually conferred by the pope —used as a title prefixed to the surname or to the given name and surname

— mon·si·gno·ri·al \ˌmän-ˌsēn-ˈyȯr-ē-əl\ adjective