or DON, a title of honour invented and chiefly used by the Spaniards, signifying sir or lord.

This title, it seems, was first given to Pelayo, in the beginning of the eighth century. In Portugal no person can assume the title of don without the permission of the king, since it is looked upon as a mark of honour and nobility. In France it is sometimes used among the religious. It is an abridgement of domnus, from dominus.