Cicisbe'o, a professed gallant who waits with fantastic devotion upon a married lady. In the higher ranks of Italian society it was at one time considered unfashionable for the husband to associate with his wife anywhere except in his own house; and in society, or at public places of amusement, the wife was accompanied by her cicisbeo. Cicisbeo is synonymous with cavalier servante.
Cicisbe'o
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 3: Catarrh to Dion, p. 250
Source scan(s): p. 0261