Lovier

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Showing more affection or tenderness toward someone than another person or thing does
2. Displaying a warmer, more fond and sentimental attitude than a comparison point
3. Expressing greater tenderness, endearment or sweetness in behavior or speech

Etymology: "Lovier" is the comparative form of "lovey" in the sense of affectionate or loving, though it is rarely used. Its meaning is "more loving," and the superlative would be "loviest." The base word "lovey" comes from "love" with the diminutive or affectionate suffix "-y" (also spelled "-ey"), a pattern common in English since Middle English, as in "dearie" and "honey" style pet names. The comparative ending "-ier" is the regular English pattern for two-syllable adjectives ending in "-y," where the "y" changes to "i" before the ending is added, as in "happy" becoming "happier" and "funny" becoming "funnier." So "lovier" follows the same rule as those words, and it has no separate history of its own.