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 part
2 : a soprano who sings supporting roles in comic opera