Reina

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A title of respect or authority denoting a female monarch or queen
2. a term used in Spanish-speaking cultures to refer affectionately to a woman in a prominent position
3. a figure symbolizing power, grace, and leadership in royal contexts

Etymology: The English "queen" and the Spanish "reina" come from unrelated roots. "Queen" goes back to an Old English word meaning "woman" or "wife," from a very old Germanic root. "Reina" descends from Latin "regina," the feminine form of "rex," meaning king. A Spanish queen is, etymologically, a female king. The Latin "rex" comes from a root meaning to move in a straight line or to rule. The same root produced "regere," to rule, which gave English words such as "regal," "regent," and "regime." In Spanish, the intervocalic "g" of "regina" dropped away in everyday speech and the vowels contracted, producing the Old Spanish form "reina." The masculine "rex" underwent its own change to become "rey."

Synonyms: queen, monarch, sovereign, ruler, empress

Antonyms: king, commoner, subject, peasant, servant