Main Entry:

sou·brette

Pronunciation:

\sü-ˈbret\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from Occitan soubreto, feminine of soubret coy, from soubra to surmount, exceed, from Latin superare — more at insuperable

Date:

1753

1 a: a coquettish maid or frivolous young woman in comedies b: an actress who plays such a part2: a soprano who sings supporting roles in comic opera