Definition of cicisbeo in English:
cicisbeo
nounPlural cicisbeos, Plural cicisbei ˌtʃɪtʃɪzˈbeɪəʊ
A married woman's male companion or lover.
Example sentencesExamples
- The roommate asked me today if the cicisbeo had ever hit on me.
- For my part, I would rather be condemned for life to the galleys than exercise the office of a cicisbeo, exposed to the intolerable caprices and dangerous resentment of an Italian virago.
- At last he was a full-fledged cavaliere servente, a cicisbeo, an official gigolo whose prior rights, by old Italian custom, are fully recognized by the husband.
- Married or single and usually drawn from the noble class, cicisbei were evidently chosen by common accord between husband and wife and were often specified in marriage contracts.
- The cicisbeo was often chosen by common agreement of husband and wife when drawing up the marriage contract.
Synonyms
boyfriend, girlfriend, man friend, woman friend, lady friend, lady-love, beau, loved one, beloved, love, darling, sweetheart
Origin
Early 18th century: Italian, of unknown origin.