Senhor
Senhor (Portuguese pronunciation: , abb.
Sr.; plural:
senhores, abb.
Srs. or
Srs.), from the Latin
Senior (comparative of
Senex, "old man"), is the Portuguese word for lord, sir or mister. Its feminine form is
senhora (pronounced: , abb.
Sra. or
Sra.; plural:
senhoras, abb.
Sras. or
Sras.). The term is related to Spanish
señor, Catalan
senyor, Occitan
sénher, French
seigneur, and Italian
signore. Originally it was only used to designate a feudal lord or sire, as well as being one of the names of God. With time its usage spread and, as means of differentiation, noble people began to use
Senhor Dom (as when referring to the kings or members of the high nobility), which translates literally in English as "Lord Lord". Presently it is used in the same context as mister (
senhor Silva, or
Sr. Silva, meaning "Mr. Silva"), or as a way of saying a formal "you" (
O senhor tem uma casa meaning "You (male) have a house").