san

san · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A Spanish or Italian word meaning "saint," used as a title before a male saint's name, especially in place names.

  2. 2.

    (Japanese) A polite honorific suffix used after a person's name, equivalent to Mr., Mrs., Ms., or Miss.

Related words

See also: saint, santa
Synonyms: saint

Etymology

From Spanish and Italian san, a shortened form of santo ("saint"), from Latin sanctus ("holy, sacred"), past participle of sancire ("to consecrate"). The Japanese usage derives from an entirely different etymology: from Japanese san (さん), an honorific suffix.