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Senhor (Portuguese pronunciation:[sɨˈɲoɾ,siˈɲoʁ],abb.Sr.; plural:senhores, abb.Sr.es orSrs.), from theLatinSenior (comparative ofSenex, "old man"), is thePortuguese word forlord,sir ormister. Its feminine form issenhora (pronounced[sɨˈɲoɾɐ,siˈɲoɾɐ], abb.Sr.a orSra.; plural:senhoras, abb.Sr.as orSras.). The term is related to Spanishseñor, Catalansenyor, Occitansénher, Frenchseigneur, and Italiansignore.
Originally it was only used to designate afeudal lord orsire, as well as beingone of the names ofGod. With time its usage spread and, as means of differentiation,noble people began to useSenhorDom X (as when referring to thekings or members of the high nobility), which translates literally inEnglish as "The Lord, Lord X".
In 1597,King Philip I issued a decree standardizing thenoble styles in use in theKingdom of Portugal.Sua Senhoria (translated asHis Lordship orHer Ladyship) was the prescribed manner of address toarchbishops (with the exception of theArchbishop of Braga who, due to his rank asPrimate of Hispania, was entitled to the style ofSua Senhoria Reverendíssima, orHis Most Reverend Lordship), bishops, dukes (with the exception of theDuke of Braganza, who was to be addressed asSua Excelência,Your Excellency, same as the King's grandchildren) and their children, marquesses, counts, thePrior of Crato, viceroys and governors (when not related to the King), and other high authorities of the Kingdom (such as judges or ambassadors).[1] After 1739, asGrandees (dukes, marquesses, counts) were given the style of address ofSua Excelência, the use ofSua Senhoria became restricted to address the lesser ranks of titled nobility (viscounts and barons), the legitimate sons and daughters of titled nobility, occupants of some offices at court, diplomats, some other authorities, and canons.[1]
Presently it is used in the same context asmister (senhor Silva, orSr. Silva, meaning "Mr.Silva"), or as a way of saying a formal "you" (O senhor tem uma casa meaning "You (male) have a house"). In formal contextso senhor, a senhora, os senhores andas senhoras (masculine singular, feminine singular, masculine plural, and feminine plural "you", respectively) are preferred. However, there is considerable regional variation in the use of these terms, and more specific forms of address are sometimes employed.O senhor anda senhora are the most ceremonious forms of address. English speakers may find the latter construction akin to the parliamentary convention of referring to fellow legislators in the third person (as "my colleague", "the gentleman", "the member", etc.), although the level of formality conveyed byo senhor is not as great. In fact, variants ofo senhor anda senhora with more nuanced meanings such aso professor ("professor"),o colega ("colleague") ando pai ("father") are also employed as personal pronouns. Oftensenhor is followed by another title orjob description, such asdoctor (senhor doutor),engineer (senhor engenheiro),teacher orprofessor (senhor professor), orpolice officer (senhor polícia), thus conveying a high level of formality.
Traditionally, but not presently, the feminine formsenhora was only used for a married woman (a single woman was addressed formally asmenina, "young girl", inPortugal or by the diminutivesenhorita, "little lady", inBrazil).