Mona Lisa
nounUK /ˌməʊnə ˈliːzə/ · US /ˌmoʊnə ˈlisə/
Etymology Borrowed from Italian Monna Lisa (literally “my lady Lisa”), from monna (abbreviation of madonna) + Lisa, the given name of Lisa del Giocondo, née Gherardini (1479–1542).
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Figuratively A masterpiece, an outstanding work.
- This small and deceptively simple, but extremely interesting molecular system was rightly characterized by Cram and coworkers as ‘The Mona Lisa of Organic Chemistry’, because of its ability to elicit wonder, to stimulate imagination and, last but not least, by its enigmatic elusiveness and numerous outstanding features.2005, Zvi Rappoport, Joel F. Liebman, The Chemistry of Cyclobutanes, page 18:
- I told him I didn't care if the painting was a Mona Lisa or pure nonsense, I just wanted him to have the experience of painting on canvas.2007, Tiffany Christensen, Sick girl speaks!: lessons and ponderings along the road to acceptance, page 128:
1 more example
- Now, in fifth grade, I’m still drawing stick figures and she’s making Mona Lisas.2021, Kate Biberdorf, Hillary Homzie, “An Educated Guess”, in The Birthday Blastoff, Philomel Books, →ISBN, page 10:
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Figuratively A woman who resembles the subject of this painting, renowned for her beauty and enigmatic smile.
- She let him take it and sat on, smiling very faintly. It was a Mona Lisa effort.1972, John Newton Chance, The dead tale-tellers, page 111:
- […]found Florence Thompson, the Mona Lisa of the 1930s, a migrant mother whose picture haunted the nation.1985, Bob Dotson, ...In pursuit of the American dream, page 4:
3 more examples
- They saw each other at the same time, and their gazes met and held.[…]Alex's heart beat faster and harder. He smiled what felt like a Mona Lisa smile[…]2000, Edward A. Molnar, Shadows on a Mirror, page 188:
- The panels depicting scenes from the life of Dionysos are framed with acanthus leaves, some of which form medallions, including one showing a fascinating woman who has come to be known as the Mona Lisa of Galilee.2005, Ariel Lewin, The Archaeology of Ancient Judea and Palestine, page 84:
- It was all enhanced by Melissa's thin smile as she continued working like a Mona Lisa on Red Bull.2020, Michael Shenk, Always A Brother, page 108: