Amourous

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A disposition that reflects affection and attraction often represents an emotional connection or desire
2. Characterized by a passionate or romantic inclination, it usually embodies feelings of longing and emotional attachment
3. A state of being that embodies both romantic feelings and a longing for emotional connection often intensifies personal attraction and affection

Etymology: "Amourous" is a misspelling, and the correct form is "amorous," which is the word readers most likely want. The spelling trap is worth noticing: the "ou" looks as if it belongs there because of French "amoureux," but English never took that spelling. The real word came into Middle English in the 14th century, borrowed from Old French "amoros" or "amoreus." Those French forms trace back to a Vulgar Latin "amōrōsus," a formation built on Latin "amor," meaning "love," which goes back to the verb "amāre," "to love." The Latin noun gave English a whole family of words, but the adjective "amorous" arrived already shaped to mean full of love, with "-ous" marking the quality of being given to something. English thus has two relatives from the same source: "amorous" came through the Old French route, while Italian "amoroso" entered English separately, making the two a doublet. French "amoureux" is a close cousin that kept the same root but developed its own spelling and sense of "in love."

Synonyms: romantic, affectionate, loving

Antonyms: unloving, cold, indifferent