in the plural Messeigneurs, a title of honour and respect used by the French in writing to persons of superior rank or quality, before the late abolition of all ranks.

Dukes, peers, archbishops, bishops, and presidents à la mortier, were complimented with the title of Monseigneur. In the petitions presented to the sovereign courts, they used the term Messeigneurs.

Monseigneur, absolutely used, was a title restricted to the dauphin of France. This custom was unknown till the time of Louis XIV. before which the dauphin was styled Monseigneur le Dauphin.