senorita

Where does the word "senorita" come from? It comes from Latin senior, passing through Spanish before entering English (1820s).

Senorita’s story begins in Latin: senior meant “older.” Older, the source of 'sire' and 'sir'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as señorita. 'little lady', a diminutive of 'señora'. It reached English by 1820s as senorita. Borrowed in accounts of Spain and Mexico. Today, senorita means a young or unmarried Spanish-speaking woman.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient senior "older", older, the source of 'sire' and 'sir'.
2. Stage 2 · Spanish · 1500s señorita "young lady", 'little lady', a diminutive of 'señora'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1820s senorita "young lady", borrowed in accounts of Spain and Mexico.