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Beau
Definitions
- 1 A male given name used since mid-twentieth century.
"'Mees Melly, I hear she call her boy "Beauregard". You tell her I, René, approve and say that except for "Jesus" there is no bettaire name.' And though he smiled, his eyes glowed proudly at the name of Louisiana's dashing hero. 'Well, there's "Robert Edward Lee" ', observed Tommy. 'And while I'm not trying to lessen Old Beau's reputation, my first son is going to be named "Bob Lee Wellburn".'"
- 1 A man with a reputation for fine dress and etiquette; a dandy or fop. dated
"“[…]—I suppose your brother was quite a beau, Miss Dashwood, before he married, as he was so rich?” “Upon my word,” replied Elinor, “I cannot tell you, for I do not perfectly comprehend the meaning of the word. But this I can say, that if he ever was a beau before he married, he is one still, for there is not the smallest alteration in him.” “Oh! dear! one never thinks of married men’s being beaux—they have something else to do.”"
- 2 a man who is the lover of a man or woman wordnet
- 3 A male lover; a boyfriend. Canada, US, dated
"Hannah's beau takes all her time 'n' thought, and when she gits a husband her mother'll be out o' sight and out o' mind."
- 4 a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance wordnet
- 5 A male escort.
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- 6 A suitor of a lady.
- 1 To act as a beau (towards); to court or woo. ambitransitive
"Everyone was feeling grandacious, as if getting dressed for a night of beauing."
Etymology
From Middle English beau, beu, bew, bewe, from Old French beau, from Latin bellus (“beautiful”). Doublet of bello and boo.
From Middle English beau, beu, bew, bewe, from Old French beau, from Latin bellus (“beautiful”). Doublet of bello and boo.
Shortened from surname type given names such as Beauregard or Beaumont, or from the French word beau.
See also for "beau"
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