Affectionates

Part of speech: noun, verb

Definitions

1. Showing or expressing fondness or tenderness toward someone or something; demonstrating warmth and care through actions or words; characterized by heartfelt attachment or love
2. Exhibiting gentle and loving behavior toward others; conveying deep emotional connection and kindness; marked by a sincere display of devotion or endearment
3. Manifesting feelings of warmth and closeness through caring gestures or speech; signifying a strong emotional bond and tenderness; acting with loving and considerate intentions toward people or animals

Etymology: "Affectionates" is the third-person singular form of a verb meaning to show tender, loving gestures toward someone. The verb probably arose either by turning the adjective "affectionate" into a verb, or by adding the verb-forming suffix "-ate" to "affection", modelled on French "affectionner". The adjective is a learned borrowing from Latin "affectionatus", built from "affection" and the adjective-forming suffix "-ate". Affection goes back to Latin "affectio", from "afficere", meaning to act upon or influence someone, which explains why the English noun once carried a sense of being moved or disposed toward something. The Latin root also gave English a doublet, "aficionado", which reached English through Spanish and kept a much stronger sense of devoted fondness for a pursuit.

Synonyms: lovers, fond ones

Antonyms: haters, enemies