n.
- an intense feeling of deep affection.
▸a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone.
▸affectionate greetings.
- a great interest and pleasure in something.
- a person or thing that one loves.
▸Brit. informal a friendly form of address.
- (in tennis, squash, etc.) a score of zero.
[appar. from the phr. play for love (i.e. the love of the game, not for money).]
v.
feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment to.
▸like or enjoy very much.
Phrase
- for love
for pleasure not profit. - make love
- have sexual intercourse.
-
(make love to)
dated pay amorous attention to.
- not for love or money
informal not in any circumstances. - there's no love lost between
there is mutual dislike between.
Derivative
- loveless adj.
- lovelessly adv.
- lovelessness n.
Etymology
OE lufu, of Gmc origin; rel. to leave2 and lief.