Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Don
Don
(dŏn)
, Noun.
1.
Sir; Mr; Signior; – a title in Spain, formerly given to noblemen and gentlemen only, but now common to all classes.
Don
is used in Italy, though not so much as in Spain. France talks of Dom
Calmet, England of Dan
Lydgate. Oliphant.
2.
A grand personage, or one making pretension to consequence; especially, the head of a college, or one of the fellows at the English universities.
[Univ. Cant]
“The great dons of wit.” Dryden.
Don
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Donned
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Donning
.] To put on; to dress in; to invest one’s self with.
Should I
don
this robe and trouble you. Shakespeare
At night, or in the rain,
He
He
dons
a surcoat which he doffs at morn. Emerson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Don
DON.
A title in Spain, formerly given to noblemen and gentlemen only, but now common to all classes. It is commonly supposed to be contracted from dominus, dom, and the Portuguese dono, the master or owner of any thing, gives some countenance to the opinion. It coincides nearly with Heb.: judge, ruler or lord. It was formerly used in England, and writter by Chaucer Dan. [See Spelman.]Dona, or duena, the feminine of don, is the title of a lady, in Spain and Portugal.
DON, v.t. [To do on; opposed to doff.] To put on; to invest with.