Dictionary

grande dame

Pronunciation

(British) IPA: /ɡɹɒ̃(n)d ˈdam/

Noun

grande dame

A woman who is socially prominent, respected, and experienced, especially one who is haughty and advanced in age.
- 1883 Charlotte M. Yonge, Stray Pearls, ch. 17:
  Now the Baronne de Ribaumont Walwyn was a veritable grande dame, and Madame Croquelebois, in spite of her sharp nose, and sharper tongue, was quite cowed by her.
- 1902, Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton, The Conqueror, ch. 3:
  "Do you no longer want to go to Europe? to court? to be grande dame and converse with princes?"
- 1966 Aug. 19, "[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,836243,00.html Resorts: Happening at the Hamptons]," Time:
  "Beatniks," snorted one grande dame as she pushed her way toward her chauffeur-driven limousine.
- 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber 2003, p. 141:
  She has been buying (under my guidance) new clothes and she looks quite the grande dame.
A woman who is accomplished, influential, and a senior figure in a particular field.
- 1965 Aug. 2, "[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,838514,00.html Milestones]," Time:
  Died. Ruth St. Denis, 90, grande dame of modern dance.
- 2007 July 15, Larry Rohter, "Movies: A Part Made for Her ↗," New York Times (retrieved 29 Aug. 2011):
  As the grande dame of Latin American actresses, Norma Aleandro is accustomed to having choice roles gravitate in her direction.
(figuratively, by extension) A well-known, very highly regarded institution, structure, or large conveyance, such as a hotel or ship.
- 2011 April 5, "Travel Guides: Hotel Carlton—Frommer's Review ↗," New York Times (retrieved 29 Aug. 2011):
  Returned to its former glory, this is the grande dame of all Bilbao hotels.

Synonyms

(woman who is socially prominent) doyenne
(woman who is influential, knowledgeable, senior in a field) doyenne

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