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noun
•a great female opera singer, a prima donna.
•outstanding popular female performer of non-operatic works.
•a woman of rare, outstanding talent.
ORIGIN late 19th cent.: Italian, meaning "divine (feminine form)," which, in turn derives from the feminine form of a Latin word divus/diva, meaning "divine one."
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noun
•the process of developing or being developed: she traces the development of the novel
•the development of less invasive treatment.
• a specified state of growth or advancement: the wings attain their full development several hours after birth.
• a new and refined product or idea : the latest developments in information technology.
"So if diva means giving your best, then yes, I guess I am a diva."
Patti LaBelle
"The word diva to me means doing something supernatural with something natural."
Patti LuPone
"It's a shame to call somebody a 'diva' simply because they work harder than everybody else."
Jennifer Lopez
"Actually, I take it as a compliment. Diva is a derivative of divine. That's quite a title to carry around."
Calista Flockhart
"But a true diva has dismissed that drama. A true diva's heart is open, and she's ready to play by her own rules - rules that are gentle and kind."
Jenifer Lewis
"If I weren't reasonably placid, I don't think I could cope with this sort of life. To be a diva, you've got to be absolutely like a horse."
Joan Sutherland
"A diva is someone who is a perfectionist, who does her best in her craft."
Patti LaBelle
"Sometimes I think it's better to be a diva."
Julia Barr