‖ regalo Now rare.
(reˈgalo)
Also 7–8 regalio, regalia.
[ad. It. (also Sp. and Pg.) regalo a present, gift, etc., the n. related to regalare to regale; the etym. of the stem is obscure (see Diez and Körting). The erroneous form regalio is common in the second half of the 17th century: regalia is less usual.]
A present, esp. of choice food or drink; a choice or elegant repast or entertainment, etc. (see regale n.2).
| α 1622 Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d'Alf. i. 24 Sending their servants laden with baskets of regalo's, and delicate choice Dainties. 1654 Jer. Taylor Real Pres. 159 It was a present for a Prince,..a Regalo fit for so great a person. 1668 Lond. Gaz. No. 324/1 She was..presented from the Pope with a Regalo of all sorts of Fowl, Fruits, Wines, and other Delicacies. 1758 H. Walpole Let. to Mann 8 July, I congratulate you on your regalo from the Northumberlands. 1847 Disraeli Tancred iv. xi, I will not demand more than a third of the profits, leaving it to your own liberality to make me any regalo in addition. |
| fig. 1671 Woodhead St. Teresa i. xi. 54, I..durst never advisedly desire any regalos, or spiritual delights at his hands. 1749 G. Lavington Enthus. Meth. & Papists ii. (1754) 57 God for many Years did hide himself from her, withdrawing the Regalo's and Joys of his Presence. |
| β 1652 Benlowes Theoph. iv. xciv, How mid'st regalios of Loves Banquet I Dissolve in sweets Extremitie. 1697 Phil. Trans. XIX. 143 A small round nut,..some eat them, and account them as great a Regalio as Pistaches. 1727 A. Hamilton New Acc. E. Ind. I. xxi. 249 Candied and preserved Fruits are their Regalio in all Seasons. a 1734 North Lives (1826) II. 473 A jewel of fifteen purses was to be the vizier's regalio. |
| fig. 1667 Dryden Sir Martin Mar-all Prol. 2 Fools..Are yet the great regalios of a play. 1686 W. de Britaine Hum. Prud. xi. 53, I am not much delighted with the Regalio's or Gaiety of the World. |
| γ c 1640 [Shirley] Capt. Underwit i. in Bullen O. Pl. (1883) II. 330 There's a Ball to night in the Strand... I ha' bespoke regalias there, too. 1685 Cotton tr. Montaigne xxx. (1869) 172 After having a long time treated their prisoners very well, and given them all the regalia's they can think of. 1721 D'Urfey Two Queens Brentford i. (D.), The Town shall have its regalia: the Coffee-house gapers, I'm resolv'd, shan't want their Diversion. |