amour
nounUK /əˈmʊə/ · US /əˈmʊɹ/
Etymology Inherited from Middle English amour, from Middle French amour, from Old French amor, from Latin amor. The modern pronunciation is due to continual French influence; the expected pronunciation would be /ˈæmə(ɹ)/; compare enamour, enamoured.
1
Courtship; flirtation.
- Perhaps Daisy never went in for amour at all—and yet there's something in that voice of hers….1925, F[rancis] Scott Fitzgerald, chapter 4, in The Great Gatsby, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, published 1953, →ISBN, pages 78–79:
2
A love affair.
- Jones had mentioned the Fact of his Amour, and of his being the Rival of Blifil, but had cautiously concealed the Name of the young Lady.1749, Henry Fielding, “A Dialogue between Mr. Jones and the Barber”, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume III, London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book VIII, page 180:
- The amours of the greater scaup are, if anything, even more varied.1990 October 26, Jerry Sullivan, “Field & Street”, in Chicago Reader:
3
A lover.
- ‘Dulce, will you go to the masquerade-ball to night?’ said I to my lesser-half, on a bright evening during the gayest part of the ‘carnival season.’ / ‘No, my amor,’ answered she; ‘I am ill this evening; do n’t go out to-night, but stay by my side, and let your cheering presence save a doctor’s fee.’1845 May 23, Ned Buntline, “A Night-Adventure in Cuba”, in The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, volume XXV, number 4, New York, N.Y.: […] John Allen, […], page 326:
- Makes you wonder how they were able to see their amours, or their hands...2000 December 29, James McManus, “The Winter Casino”, in Chicago Reader:
4
Obsolete Love, affection.
- Derived terms
- amourist