pignus amoris

noun — 2 senses

pignus amoris

noun

Etymology Borrowed from Latin pignus amōris.

1

A gift or keepsake that is symbolic of a love relationship; a love token.

Dr. Farre has within a few days presented to the College, with his portrait, a most valuable library of ancient and modern works […] I am sure I may challenge all associates to give or bequeath to it similar pignora amoris1877, Edward H. Sieveking, “The Harveian Oration”, in British Medical Journal:

2

Euphemistic A love child.

In 1435 he visited Scotland, and left behind him a pignus amoris which fortunately died1929, Flora Grierson, The Tale of the Two Lovers (Introduction):

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.