An important or notable person of high rank or distinction.
From Old French 'personage,' derived from 'persone' (person) and Latin 'persona' (mask, character, human being). The suffix '-age' emphasizes the concept.
In Shakespeare's time, 'personage' was the word for a VIP, and it still carries that sense of gravitas—when someone is called a 'distinguished personage,' you know they're important.
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