1a South East Asian woman of mixed ethnic descent, especially (in Singapore) a woman with a Malay mother and Chinese father.
2 [mass noun] (in Malaysia and Singapore) a spicy Singaporean cuisine consisting of a combination of Malay and Chinese ingredients and techniques: [as modifier]:a Nonya dish
Origin:
from Malay, Javanese nyonya, probably from Portuguese senhora 'lady' (see senhora)
