DictionaryRoot: personage
Old French

personage

size, stature; dignitary

1 / 1
Distinguished older Black scientist welcomed at formal gathering.
noun

personage

PUR-suh-nij/ˈpɜːrsənɪdʒ/

An important or distinguished person.

Etymology

Old French personage meant both “size, stature” and “a dignitary.” The selected English sense preserves the latter meaning: not simply an individual, but someone of rank or distinction.

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