Partner vs Beau - What's the difference?

As nouns the difference between partner and beau

is that partner is someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest while beau is a man with a reputation for fine dress and etiquette; a dandy or fop.

As a verb partner

is to make or be a partner.

As a proper noun Beau is

a given name used since mid-twentieth century.

partner

English

Noun

(en noun)

Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.

# A member of a business or law partnership

#* 1668 July 3, , “Thomas Rue contra'' Andrew Hou?toun” in ''The Deci?ions of the Lords of Council & Se??ion I (Edinburgh, 1683), page 548:

He Su?pends on the?e Rea?ons, that Thomas Rue'' had granted a general Di?charge to ''Adam Mu?het'', who was his Conjunct, and ''correus debendi'', after the alleadged Service, which Di?charged ''Mu?het'', and con?equently ''Houstoun his Partner .

# A spouse or domestic partner

# Someone with whom one dances in a two-person dance.

He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance.But she said she must go back, and when they joined the crowd again her partner was haled off with a frightened look to the royal circle, […].

(nautical) One of the pieces of wood comprising the framework which strengthens the deck of a wooden ship around the holes through which the mast and other fittings pass.

(Jamaica) A group financial arrangement in which each member contributes a set amount of money over a set period.

Synonyms

* See also

Verb

(en verb)

to make or be a partner

to work or perform as a partner

Descendants

* French: partenaire (g) 1000 English basic words ----

beau

English

Noun

(en-noun)

(dated) A man with a reputation for fine dress and etiquette; a dandy or fop.

* 1811 , Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility , chapter 21

“I do not 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 mens’(SIC) being beaux —they have something else to do.”

(dated) A male lover; a boyfriend.

* 1917 , Kate Douglas Wiggin, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm , p. 142:

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.

* 2009 , Philippa Bourke, Monsters and Critics [http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1518335.php/Kristin-Davis-takes-cover-on-beach-with-beau#ixzz0ZRsqa5SS], Dec 10, 2009:

Kristin Davis has taken time out to enjoy the surf and sand with her Australian beau , photographer Russell James.

A male escort.

References

* English nouns with irregular plurals ----