German

Noun

Soubrette f ‎(genitive Soubrette, plural Soubretten)

1. (opera or theater) soubrette

English

Annie Lewis (c. 1869—1896) performing as a soubrette

Noun

soubrette ‎(plural soubrettes)

1. A female servant or attendant, especially as mischievous or cheeky, often featuring in theatrical comedies.
   • 1936, Henry Miller, Black Spring:

     And then too it was exhilarating to see the baron come sailing in with a pair of soubrettes on his arm – each time a different pair.

   • 1969, Film Bulletin, Volume 38, page 127:

     This version of the fragile, yet touching story accents the romance and courtship of the schoolmaster, properly called Mr. Chipping, and the music hall soubrette he falls in love with while vacationing in Pompeii.

   • 1997, Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon:

     The servants in the hall tonight are whitely-wigged black slaves in livery of a certain grade of satin and refinement of lace,– black Major-domos and black Soubrettes.

Translations

French

Etymology

Borrowing from Occitan soubreto.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /subʁɛt/

Noun

soubrette f ‎(plural soubrettes)

1. (theater) maid (female servant (role) in a theatrical performance)
2. maid (female servant)

Anagrams

• brouettes, brouettés

Italian

Etymology

Borrowing from French soubrette.

Noun

soubrette f ‎(invariable)

1. showgirl