Beau

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /bəʊ/

Definitions

1. A boyfriend or male admirer, especially one who is fashionable or charming
2. A stylish male companion or romantic interest, often appreciated for his charm and elegance
3. A man who is romantically interested in someone ; a stylish and charming male companion often noticed for his elegance

Etymology: The word "beau" arrived in English from French, where it meant simply "handsome" or "beautiful," and it kept that plain sense for centuries before acquiring its modern flavour. Its ancestor is the Latin "bellus," meaning "beautiful" or "fine," which also gave English the word "belle" and the Italian "bello." The Latin word is not the only route to English, though: "bello" and "boo" are doublets, meaning they come from the same source by separate paths and so sound different while sharing a root. The word reached English in the Middle English period, when it still described a person or thing that was pleasing to look at. Only later did it narrow to a man, and specifically one who pays marked attention to a woman, often with an air of fashionable polish. The change reflects a common pattern in which a general quality of appearance becomes attached to the role of the person who displays it.

Synonyms: boyfriend, paramour, suitor, lover, gentleman