or benedict, subs. (common).—A newly-married man; especially one who has long been a bachelor. [From Shakespeare’s character in Much Ado about Nothing.]
1599. SHAKESPEARE, Much Ado about Nothing, v. 4. 100. Don Pedro. How dost thou, BENEDICK, the married man?
1805. REV. J. MARRIOTT, in C. K. Sharpe’s Correspondence (1888), I., 239. From what I have seen of his lordship, both as a bachelor and as a BENEDICK.
1821. SCOTT [LOCKHART (1839), vi. 313]. Wish the veteran joy of his entrance into the band of BENEDICTS.
1843. Life in the West. He is no longer a BENEDICK, but a quiet married man.
1856. C. BRONTË, The Professor, xxiv. ‘Are you married, Mr. Hunsden?’ asked Frances, suddenly. ‘No, I should have thought you might have guessed I was a BENEDICK by my look.’
1897. KENNARD, The Girl in the Brown Habit, i. A fellow may as well have a bit of a fling first, till he spots the right figure, and is perpared to settle down as a BENEDICT.
