Word of the Day: PRIMA DONNA

A diva or difficult person

prima donna (noun) - a vain, temperamental, or privileged person who demands special treatment; the leading female singer in an opera company (also primadonna) [pree-muh don-uh]

BREAKDOWN: Prima donna is an Italian term for the leading female singer in an opera or theater company. The word derives from two important roots. The first root, fittingly, is PRIM- meaning first, chief, or foremost in words like primary and premiere. The second root is DON-, the feminine expression of DOMIN- is a root meaning lord, rule, or master in words like domineering and indomitable. Thus, the word literally means first lady. The negative connotation of someone arrogant, temperamental, and difficult to work with was inspired by the stereotypically spoiled behavior of many divas over the centuries.

“Success can make you go one of two ways. It can make you a prima donna, or it can smooth the edges, take away the insecurities, let the nice things come out.” —Barbara Walters

[Our Wednesday Wildcards are fascinating and important words that are not necessarily or obviously derived from classical roots.]