endearing
adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L336450 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈdɪəɹɪŋ/ / /ɛn-/ / /ɪnˈdɪɹɪŋ/
adj
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Old French en-bor. Middle English en- English en- English dear English endear English -ing English endearing From endear + -ing.
- Inspiring affection or love, often in a childlike way.
“[…] I dare not call him father, nor he, without shame, own me as his issue, I being illegitimate, and therefore deprived of that endearing tenderness and unparalleled satisfaction which a good man finds in the love and conversation of a parent.”
“BELIEVE me, if all those endearing young charms, / Which I gaze on so fondly to-day, / Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms, / Like fairy-gifts fading away,— / Thou wouldst stil be ador'd as this moment thou art, / Let thy loveliness fade as it will; / And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart / Would entwine itself verdantly still!”
noun
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Old French en-bor. Middle English en- English en- English dear English endear English -ing English endearing From endear + -ing.
- Synonym of endearment.
“It was arms around, and perpetual endearings, and all that I had missed for a weary twelve-month.”
verb
Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Old French en-bor. Middle English en- English en- English dear English endear English -ing English endearing From endear + -ing.
- present participle and gerund of endear.