Dictionary Definition
Senhor n : a Portuguese title of respect;
equivalent to English `Mr'
User Contributed Dictionary
Portuguese
Noun
senhorExtensive Definition
Senhor (abbreviation: Sr.; plural: Senhores,
abbreviation: Srs.), from the Latin Senior
(comparative of Senex, "old man"), is
the Portuguese
word for Lord, Sir or Mister. Its feminine form is Senhora (plural
Senhoras, abbreviation: Sras.). Its Spanish
equivalent is Señor.
Originally it was only used to designate a
feudal Lord or Sire, as well as being
one of
the names of God.
With time its usage spread and, as means of
differentiation, noble people began
to use Senhor Dom (as
when referring to the kings
or members of the high noblity), which translates literally in
English
as "Lord Lord".
Presently it is used in the same context as
Mister
(Senhor Silva meaning Mr. Silva), or as a way
of saying a formal "You" ("O senhor tem uma
casa" meaning "You (male) have a house"). In formal contexts o
senhor, a senhora, os senhores and as senhoras (masculine singular,
feminine singular, masculine plural, and feminine plural "you",
respectively) are preferred. However, there is considerable
regional variation in the use of these terms, and more specific
forms of address are sometimes employed. O senhor / a senhora are
the most ceremonious forms of address. English speakers may find
the latter construction akin to the parliamentary convention of
referring to fellow legislators in the third person (as "my
colleague", "the gentleman", "the member", etc.), although the
level of formality conveyed by o senhor is not as great. In fact,
variants of o senhor and a senhora with more nuanced meanings such
as o professor ("professor"), o colega ("colleague") and o pai
("father") are also employed as personal pronouns. Often Senhor is
followed by another title or job description,
such as Doctor
(Senhor Doutor), Engineer (Senhor
Engenheiro), Teacher or Professor (Senhor
Professor), or Police
officer (Senhor Polícia), thus conveying a high level of
formality.
Tradicionally, but not presently, the feminine
form Senhora was only used for a married woman (a single woman was
addressed formally as Menina, "young girl", or by the diminutive
Senhorita, "little lady").