Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A title conferred by the pope on a high-ranking male cleric, such as a protonotary apostolic.
  • noun A cleric holding such a title.
  • noun Used as a form of address prefixed to the name of such a cleric.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In the Roman Catholic Church, a title conferred upon prelates, and upon the dignitaries of the papal court and household. Also, in the fuller Italian form, monsignore, plural monsignori. Abbreviated Mgr.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An ecclesiastic title bestowed on some Roman Catholic clerics by the Pope

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun (Roman Catholic Church) an ecclesiastical title of honor bestowed on some priests

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Italian, from French Monseigneur; see Monseigneur.]

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Examples

  • The highest general and the youngest lieutenant are equally officers, and the most venerable patriarch bears the title Monsignor as well as the simplest honorary chaplain.

    The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10: Mass Music-Newman 1840-1916 1913

  • (He was eventually given the title Monsignor anyway.)

    The Globe and Mail - Home RSS feed 2010

  • This Washington Post article says ‘the messages arriving in Monsignor Slawomir Oder’s inbox are multiplying.

    Smart Mobs » Blog Archive » Making saints 2006

  • This Washington Post article says ‘the messages arriving in Monsignor Slawomir Oder’s inbox are multiplying.

    Smart Mobs » Blog Archive » Making saints 2006

  • Fr Skehan - who is 81 and has been given the honorific title "Monsignor" - served at the church for 40 years.

    Clipmarks | Live Clips 2009

  • Since the Monsignor was his mentor, he had to accept the news.

    The Grace to Race Sister Madonna Buder 2010

  • Since the Monsignor was his mentor, he had to accept the news.

    The Grace to Race Sister Madonna Buder 2010

  • Since the Monsignor was his mentor, he had to accept the news.

    The Grace to Race Sister Madonna Buder 2010

  • A Monsignor is a worthy priest upon whom the Pope confers this title as a mark of esteem.

    Baltimore Catechism No. 3 (of 4) Anonymous

  • When I reached Fontainebleau, one of the treasurers commissioned by the King to defray my expenses (he was called Monsignor della Fa 1) addressed me in these words: Benvenuto, the painter Bologna has obtained commission from the King to execute your great Colossus, and all the orders previously given as on your behalf have been transferred to him.

    The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini Cellini, Benvenuto, 1500-1571 1910

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