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Love

1. to have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's god. Thou shalt love the lord thy god with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (Matt. Xxii. 37) Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self. (Matt. Xxii. 39)

2. to regard with passionate and devoted affection, as that of one sex for the other.

3. to take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures. Wit, eloquence, and poetry. Arts which i loved. (Cowley)

Origin: as. Lufian. See love.

1. a feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preeminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters. Of all the dearest bonds we prove Thou countest sons' and mothers love most sacred, most Thine own. (Keble)

2. Especially, devoted attachment to, or tender or passionate affection for, one of the opposite sex. He on his side Leaning half-raised, with looks of cordial love Hung over her enamored. (Milton)

3. Courtship; chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. E, to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage. Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena, And won her soul. (Shak)

4. Affection; kind feeling; friendship; strong liking or desire; fondness; good will; opposed to hate; often with of and an object. Love, and health to all. (Shak) Smit with the love of sacred song. (Milton) The love of science faintly warmed his breast. (Fenton)

5. Due gratitude and reverence to god. Keep yourselves in the love of god. (Jude 21)

6. The object of affection; often employed in endearing address. Trust me, love. Open the temple gates unto my love. (Spenser)

7. Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, venus. Such was his form as painters, when they show Their utmost art, on naked lores bestow. (Dryden) Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw love. (Shak)

8. a thin silk stuff.

9. (Science: botany) a climbing species of Clematis (c. Vitalba).

10. Nothing; no points scored on one side; used in counting score at tennis, etc. He won the match by three sets to love. (The Field)

love is often used in the formation of compounds, in most of which the meaning is very obvious; as, love-cracked, love-darting, love-killing, love-linked, love-taught, etc. a labour of love, a labour undertaken on account of regard for some person, or through pleasure in the work itself, without expectation of reward. Free love, the doctrine or practice of consorting with one of the opposite sex, at pleasure, without marriage. See free love. Free lover, one who avows or practices free love. in love, in the act of loving; said especially. Of the love of the sexes; as, to be in love; to fall in love.

(Science: botany) love apple, a kind of violet; the small pansy. A little western flower, Before milk-white, now purple with loves wound; And maidens call it love-in-idleness. (Shak) love juice, juice of a plant supposed to produce love. Love dde

knot, a knot or bow, as of ribbon; so called from being used as a token of love, or as a pledge of mutual affection. Love lass, a sweetheart. Love letter, a letter of courtship.

(Science: botany) love-lies-bleeding, a species of amaranth (Amarantus melancholicus). Love match, a marriage brought about by love alone. Love potion, a compounded draught intended to excite love, or venereal desire. Love rites, sexual intercourse. Love scene, an exhibition of love, as between lovers on the stage. Love suit, courtship. Of all loves, for the sake of all love; by all means. Mrs. Arden desired him of all loves to come back again. . The god of love, or love god, Cupid. to make love to, to express affection for; to woo. If you will marry, make your loves to me. . to play for love, to play a game, as at cards, without stakes. A game at piquet for love. .

Synonym: affection, friendship, kindness, tenderness, fondness, delight.

Origin: oe. Love, luve, as. Lufe, lufu; akin to E.lief, believe, L. Lubet, libet,it pleases, Skr. Lubh to be lustful. See Lief.