I.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,
