Dom

(dom.) [From L. dominus, lord.] A title given in the Middle Ages to the Pope; but, more recently, to members of certain monastic orders - thus to the Benedictines. In Portugal and Brazil, it is the distinctive appellation of a grandee or noble of the first rank; thus, the emperor of Brazil is commonly spoken of as Dom Pedro. It has precisely the same significance as the Spanish prefix Don, which was also originally confined to the nobility, but is now bestowed by courtesy as indiscriminately as the English Mr. or gentleman. The feminine doña is, in like manner, given to ladies. [s. 297]