Madonna \Ma*don"na\, n. [It. madonna my lady. See Dame, Donna, and cf. Madame, Monkey.]

1. My lady; -- a term of address in Italian formerly used as the equivalent of Madame, but for which Signora is now substituted. Sometimes introduced into English. --Shak.

2. [pl. Madonnas (n[.a]z).]

A picture of the Virgin Mary (usually with the babe).

The Italian painters are noted for drawing the Madonnas by their own wives or mistresses. --Rymer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)