amour

name

1. A surname from French.

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₃emh₃- Proto-Indo-European *-ti Proto-Indo-European *h₃émh₃ti Proto-Italic *amō Latin amō Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *-ōs Proto-Italic *-ōs Latin -or Latin amōrem Old French amor Middle French amourbor. Middle English amour ▲ French amourinflu. English amour Inherited from Middle English amour, from Middle French amour, from Old French amor, from Latin amor. The modern pronunciation is due to continual French influence; the expected pronunciation would be /ˈæmə(ɹ)/; compare enamour, enamoured.

1. Courtship; flirtation.

   “Perhaps Daisy never went in for amour at all—and yet there's something in that voice of hers….”

2. A love affair.

   “Jones had mentioned the Fact of his Amour, and of his being the Rival of Blifil, but had cautiously concealed the Name of the young Lady.”

   “The amours of the greater scaup are, if anything, even more varied.”

3. A lover.

   “‘Dulce, will you go to the masquerade-ball to night?’ said I to my lesser-half, on a bright evening during the gayest part of the ‘carnival season.’ / ‘No, my amor,’ answered she; ‘I am ill this evening; do n’t go out to-night, but stay by my side, and let your cheering presence save a doctor’s fee.’”

   “Makes you wonder how they were able to see their amours, or their hands...”

4. Love, affection.