grande dame

From French grande dame. Doublet of grandam.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɡɹɒ̃(n)d ˈdam/

grande dame (plural grandes dames)

1. A woman who is socially prominent, respected, and experienced, especially one who is haughty and advanced in age.
   • 1883, Charlotte M. Yonge, chapter 17, in Stray Pearls:

     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, chapter 3, in The Conqueror:

     "Do you no longer want to go to Europe? to court? to be grande dame and converse with princes?"

   • 1966 August 19, “Resorts: Happening at the Hamptons”, in Time:

     "Beatniks," snorted one grande dame as she pushed her way toward her chauffeur-driven limousine.

   • 1985, Peter Carey, Illywhacker, Faber and Faber, published 2003, page 141:

     She has been buying (under my guidance) new clothes and she looks quite the grande dame.

2. A woman who is accomplished, influential, and a senior figure in a particular field.
   • 1965 August 2, “Milestones”, in Time:

     Died. Ruth St. Denis, 90, grande dame of modern dance.

   • 2007 July 15, Larry Rohter, “Movies: A Part Made for Her”, in 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.

3. (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”, in New York Times, retrieved 29 Aug. 2011:

     Returned to its former glory, this is the grande dame of all Bilbao hotels.

• grande madame
• (woman who is socially prominent): doyenne
• (woman who is influential, knowledgeable, senior in a field): doyenne

• Grande Dame Guignol

• grande dame at OneLook Dictionary Search

• IPA^(key): /ɡʁɑ̃d dam/

grande dame f (plural grandes dames)

1. great lady, grande dame