Meaning
form of address equivalent to signore
- archaic title of address, equivalent to signore
In a sentence
Nel romanzo compare messer Lodovico.
In the novel, Messer Lodovico appears.
Tutti ascoltavano messer Giovanni in silenzio.
Everyone listened to Messer Giovanni in silence.
Messer Carlo arrivò nel pomeriggio.
Messer Carlo arrived in the afternoon.
Word forms (2)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| messer | masculine · singular |
| messeri | masculine · plural |
Usage notes
- Archaic/literary, not modern everyday Italian. Use signore in normal speech.
- Common before names in older texts: Messer Francesco. Usually capitalized when part of a title-like address.
- Do not confuse with messere: a related older form, also archaic, seen in historical or literary contexts.
- plural messeri