Don, from Latin dominus, is a Spanish (pron. IPA: [d̪on]) and Portuguese (Dom, IPA: [dõ]) honorific title. It is usually used as a mark of high esteem for a distinguished Christian hidalgo or fidalgo; that is, a nobleman. In English "Don" is usually preceded by a definite article ("the"). Its abbreviation, particularly in Portuguese, is "D." It is still used in reference to priests, like the French Dom. The treatment was reserved for those who had royal or some higher old noble ancestry, as well as some title bearers who had their title without needing but the King's confirmation instead of authorization, the so called titles de Juro e Herdade. In Brazil it was not used in reference to nobles, but was used to refer to royals (both to the monarch and to princes), and, in the ranks of the clergy, it is only used to refer to Bishops or other senior ecclesiastical hierachs. The use is roughly comparable to the style The Honourable of British custom, but closer to Lord or Lady, although the analogy is a loose one, at best. The female version is Doña (Spanish, pron. IPA: ['d̪o.ɲa]) and Dona (Portuguese, pron. IPA: ['do.nɐ]) abbreviated "Dª" or simply "D.". Don/Dom or Doña/Dona is attached to a person's given name. For example, if Señor Diego de la Vega is to be addressed as a don, then the correct form of address would not be "Don de la Vega", but "Don Diego de la Vega" or simply "Don Diego". At Oxford and Cambridge universities, members of the academic staff are often referred to as a Don. In practice within Oxford it is used to refer to fellows of the colleges. At Cambridge it is rarely, if ever, used. In North America, Don is sometimes used as an honorific for a Mafia crime boss, having its origins on the same honorific treatment came from Southern Italy, where Spanish influence was significant. In Spain the title is used to refer to a graduate of High School. Nowadays it is used as a standard title in mailing addresses, similarly as Mister is in English, but attached to the given name and generally preceded by the acronym Sr. (for Señor): Sr. Don Diego de la Vega or simply Don Diego de la Vega. The correct form of use of the treatment is Don for the Royals, Grandees of Spain and his relatives, and don as a courtesy respectful treatment for everyone else of some position. In Portugal, the feminine form has been used as a compliment for elderly women irrespectively of birth and rank, but is often seen as an ageing treatment. In Italy, it is the style to address a noble (as distinct from reigning) prince (principe) or duke (duca), and their children and agnatic descendants. Its feminine is donna. It is also used to refer to a priest, or, less commonly, to monks. In some Latin American countries, Don/Dom or Doña/Dona is used to refer to wealthy influential people as a substitute to the more common "Señor" or "Señora".
