Rizzio

American  

[rit-see-oh, reet-, reet-tsyaw] / ˈrɪt siˌoʊ, ˈrit-, ˈrit tsyɔ /

noun

1. David 1533?–66, Italian musician: private foreign secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots 1564–66.

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Rizzio British  

/ ˈrɪtsɪəʊ /

noun

1. David . ?1533–66, Italian musician and courtier who became the secretary and favourite of Mary, Queen of Scots. He was murdered at the instigation of a group of nobles, including Mary's husband, Darnley

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Example Sentences

“A fig for Rizzio!” cried she, tossing her head with all its curls, as she moved to the piano.

From Literature

Parking Services Coordinator Patti Rizzio says some students and employees donate items even without fines to forgive.

From Washington Times

In Mary Queen of Scots, Rizzio is established as an Italian courtier, musician, and eventually Mary’s dear friend, the only man among her coterie of maids.

From Slate

It’s true that Rizzio became one of Mary’s confidants, playing cards with her nightly and assisting with her correspondence once she retained him as her secretary.

From Slate

It’s become popular for Rizzio to be coded as gay in more recent adaptations, including the CW’s Reign and the 1971 movie Mary Queen of Scots.

From Slate