Obs. [Fr., f. baise-r to kiss + main hand.] A kiss of the hands: in pl. compliments, respects.
[1596. Spenser, F. Q., III. i. 56. Every Knight … Gan choose his dame with basciomani gay.]
1656. in Blount, Glossogr.
1707. Farquhar, Beaux’ Strat., III. ii. 25. Do my Baisemains to the gentleman, and tell him I will … wait on him immediately.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Rand., xlvi. (1804), 318. Do the doctor’s baise-mains to the lady, and squire her hither.
