Cecilia (Spanish singer) definition

, female form of ,a Roman family name derived from the byname .

Saint Cecilia, 3rd century Roman martyr; the patron saint of music. Her feast day is November 22nd.

1951 translation by Nevill Coghill of: 13?? Geoffrey Chaucer: Canterbury Tales: The Second Nun's Prologue:

First let me tell you where her name has sprung,

Cecilia, meaning, as the books agree,

'Lily of Heaven', in our English tongue,

To signify her chaste virginity;
1854 Charles Dickens: Hard Times: Book I, Chapter II:

"Sissy is not a name," said Mr. Gradgrind. "Don't call yourself Sissy. Call yourself Cecilia."

"It's father as calls me Sissy, Sir," returned the young girl in a trembling voice, and with another curtsy.

"Then he has no business to do it," said Mr. Gradgrind. "Tell him he mustn't.

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