a minor female role in comedy, often that of a pert lady's maid
2.
any pert or flirtatious girl
Derived forms
soubrettish (souˈbrettish)
adjective
Word origin
C18: from French: maidservant, from Provençal soubreto, from soubret conceited, from soubra to exceed, from Latin superāre to surmount, from super above
soubrette in American English
(suˈbrɛt)
noun
1.
in a play, light opera, etc., the role of a lady's maid, esp. one involved in intrigue, or of any pretty, flirtatious, or frivolous young woman
2.
an actress who plays such roles
Word origin
Fr < Prov soubreto < soubret, affected, sly < soubra, to put aside, exceed < L superare, to be above: see super-