contessa
UK[kɒnˈtesə]US[kənˈtesə]
n
an italian countess.
n
a woman of high rank or great wealth, especially one who is stylish or sophisticated.
Etymology
the word 'contessa' entered english directly from italian, where it means 'countess'. its ultimate origin is the latin 'comitissa', the feminine form of 'comes' meaning 'companion' or, in the imperial roman context, a court official. this latin term evolved through vulgar latin and old italian, with the core meaning shifting from a traveling companion of the emperor to a noble title. english borrowed the italian form intact in the 18th century to refer specifically to an italian noblewoman or, by stylish extension, any woman of similar aristocratic bearing or elegance.
Analysis
the word is a direct loanword from italian. it is not productively formed from smaller morphemes within the english spelling system.
Examples
the contessa hosted a magnificent ball at her venetian palazzo.
she carried herself with the grace and authority of a contessa.
the novel's protagonist, a wealthy american contessa, is the talk of roman society.