cicisbeo

1 of 2

noun (1)

ci·​cis·​beo ˌchē-chəz-ˈbā-(ˌ)ō 

plural cicisbei ˌchē-chəz-ˈbā-ˌē 

: lover, gallant

cicisbeism

ˌchē-chəz-ˈbā-ˌi-zəm 

noun

cicisbeism

2 of 2

noun (2)

ci·​cis·​be·​ism ˌchē-chəz-ˈbā-ˌi-zəm 

plural -s

: the social institution of the cicisbeo

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Italian

Noun (2)

Italian cicisbeismo, from cicisbeo + -ismo -ism

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1718, in the meaning defined above