‖ cicisbeo
(tʃitʃizˈbɛo)
Also 8 cicisbee, cicisby, chichisbee. pl. -bei, also -beos.
[It.; of uncertain origin: according to the Vocab. della Crusca, perhaps an inversion of bel cece ‘beautiful chick (pea)’; used just in the same sense. Pasqualino cited by Diez says from F. chiche beau. In mod.F. sigisbée.]
The name formerly given in Italy to the recognized gallant or cavalier servente of a married woman.
| 1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Lett. l. II. 66 The custom of cecisbeos..I know not whether you have ever heard of those animals. 1773 Characters in Ann. Reg. 66/2 The Chichisbeo is an appendix to matrimony. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. ii. ii. 1782 Wesley Wks. (1872) XI. 158 English ladies are not attended by their cicisbys yet; nor would any English husband suffer it. 1786 Gentl. Mag. Apr. 339/2 Link'd arm in arm, she woes her cicisbee. 1817 Byron Beppo xxxvii, The word was formerly a ‘Cicisbeo’, But that is now grown vulgar and indecent..But ‘Cavalier Servente’ is the phrase. |
2. A knot of ribbon (such as might be worn by the cavalier servente) fastened to a sword-hilt, walking-stick, etc. [So in Italian.]
| a 1771 Smollett cited by Ogilvie. |