love

[[t]lʌv[/t]]

n. v. loved, lov•ing

1) a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person, esp. when based on sexual attraction

2) a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection

3) a person toward whom love is felt

4) a love affair

5) med sexual activity

6) (cap.) a personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid

7) affectionate concern for the well-being of others:

love of one's neighbor[/ex]

8) a strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking:

a love of books[/ex]

9) the object of such liking or enthusiasm:

The theater was her great love[/ex]

10) the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God

11) spo a score of zero, as in tennis

12) to have love or affection for

13) to have a strong liking for:

to love music[/ex]

14) to need or require:

Plants love sunlight[/ex]

15) to embrace and kiss as a lover

16) to have sexual intercourse with

17) to feel the emotion of love

•

- in love (with) make love

Etymology: bef. 900; ME lov(i)en, OE lufian, c. OOHG lubōn, ONlofa