dŏmĭna, ae (dat. and abl. plur. only dominis, Curt. 3, 12, 8; Inscr. Orell. 1629), f. [dominus].
- I. Prop., mistress, she who rules or commands, esp. in a household, = hera, materfamilias, Plaut. Cist. 4, 2, 107; id. Stich. 2, 1, 24; Ter. Heaut. 2, 3, 57; Quint. 5, 11, 34 sq.; Ov. M. 4, 5; Juv. 6, 376; 377 al.
- II. In gen., like the Gr. δέσποινα, a mistress, lady: sit sane Fors domina campi, Cic. Pis. 2; cf.: haec una virtus omnium est domina et regina virtutum, id. Off. 3, 6, 28: voluptates blandissimae dominae, id. ib. 2, 10, 37: cupiditas honoris, imperii, provinciarum quam dura est domina! id. Par. 5, 2 fin.: juncti currum dominae subiere leones, i. e. of Cybele, Verg. A. 3, 113; 438; of Venus, Ov. A. A. 1, 148; Prop. 3, 3, 31 (4, 2, 31 M.); of Juno, id. 2, 5, 17; of Diana, Mart. 12, 18; of Isis, Inscr. Grut. 82, 2; cf. Inscr. Orell. 1884; Vulg. Gen. 16, 4 al.
- b. As adj.: domina Urbs, the queen city, Mart. 12, 21, 9.
- B. In partic.
- 1. The appellation of a lady belonging to the imperial family, Suet. Dom. 13; id. Claud. 39.
- 2. A term of endearment,
- a. Wife, Verg. A. 6, 397 Serv.; Ov. Tr. 4, 3, 9; 5, 5, 7; Inscr. Orell. 2663.
- b. Sweetheart, Tib. 1, 1, 46; 3, 4, 74; Prop. 1, 4, 2 et saep.