Definition of soubrette

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< soubise

soubriquet >

sou·brette    (s-brt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. A saucy, coquettish, intriguing maidservant in comedies or comic opera.
   2. An actress or a singer taking such a part.
2. A young woman regarded as flirtatious or frivolous.

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ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Provençal soubreto, feminine of soubret, conceited, from soubra, to leave aside, from Old Provençal sobrar, to be excessive, from Latin superre, from super, above; see uper in Indo-European roots