Amour

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /əˈmʊə/

Definitions

1. A secret or illicit romantic relationship between two people
2. A passionate or clandestine love affair | a beloved person
3. An intimate romantic liaison often conducted in secrecy or outside conventional bounds

Etymology: Emerging into English in the late Middle Ages, this term was borrowed directly from Old French, where it simply meant "love." Its roots trace back further to Latin, specifically the word "amōrem," the accusative form of "amōr," which signified love or affection. In Latin, "amōr" derived from the verb "amāre," meaning "to love," capturing the idea of passion or deep attachment. During the medieval period, the word carried connotations of romantic or courtly love, often used in the context of chivalry and the ideals of knightly devotion to a lady. The Old French influence on English vocabulary was profound after the Norman Conquest of 1066, and this word entered the English lexicon primarily through literary and poetic channels rather than everyday speech. In English usage, the term retained much of its French flavor and was often employed in contexts emphasizing romantic or secret love affairs, lending an air of sophistication and sometimes exotic charm. Over time, its use became less common in everyday English, overshadowed by native English words like "love," but it remains a poetic and stylistic choice, carrying a sense of elegance and a nod to its continental origins. The pronunciation, with its characteristic French-inflected vowel sounds, also reflects its borrowed status, distinguishing it from purely English terms. This preserved foreign quality has helped maintain its association with romance and refined emotion within English literature and discourse.

Synonyms: love, affection, passion, romance, infatuation

Antonyms: hatred, animosity, aversion, dislike, indifference