MONSIGNOR

[mon.si.gnor] n, pl monsignors or mon.si.gno.ri [It monsignore, fr. F monseigneur] (1641): a Roman Catholic prelate having a dignity or titular distinction (as of domestic prelate or protonotary apostolic) usu. conferred by the pope--used as a title prefixed to the surname or to the given name and surname -- mon.si.gno.ri.al adj