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Entry 15 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Love

/(lŭv)/ · IPA /lʌv/
01 n. A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection…
  1. 1.
    A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters.
    “Of all the dearest bonds we prove Thou countest sons' and mothers' love Most sacred, most Thine own.” — Keble.
  2. 2.
    Especially, devoted attachment to, or tender or passionate affection for, one of the opposite sex.
    “He on his side Leaning half-raised, with looks of cordial love Hung over her enamored.” — Milton.
  3. 3.
    Courtship; -- chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. e., to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage.
    “Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena, And won her soul.” — Shak.
  4. 4.
    Affection; kind feeling; friendship; strong liking or desire; fondness; good will; -- opposed to hate; often with of and an object.
    “Love, and health to all.” — Shak.
    “Smit with the love of sacred song.” — Milton.
    “The love of science faintly warmed his breast.” — Fenton.
  5. 5.
    Due gratitude and reverence to God.
    “Keep yourselves in the love of God.” — Jude 21.
  6. 6.
    The object of affection; -- often employed in endearing address; as, he held his love in his arms; his greatest love was reading.
    “Open the temple gates unto my love.” — Spenser.
  7. 7.
    Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, Venus.
    “Such was his form as painters, when they show Their utmost art, on naked Lores bestow.” — Dryden.
    “Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love.” — Shak.
  8. 8.
    A thin silk stuff.[Obs.]
  9. 9.
    A climbing species of Clematis (Clematis Vitalba).(Bot.)
  10. 10.
    Nothing; no points scored on one side; -- used in counting score at tennis, etc.
    “He won the match by three sets to love.” — The Field.
  11. 11.
    Sexual intercourse; -- a euphemism.
    “A little western flower, Before milk-white, now purple with love's wound; And maidens call it love-in-idleness.” — Shak.
Syn. Affection; friendship; kindness; tenderness; fondness; delight.
02 v. t. To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to lov…
imp. & p. p. Loved; p. pr. & vb. n. Loving
  1. 1.
    To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's God.
    “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” — Matt. xxii. 37.
    “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.” — Matt. xxii. 39.
  2. 2.
    To regard with passionate and devoted affection, as that of one sex for the other.
  3. 3.
    To take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures.
    “Wit, eloquence, and poetry. Arts which I loved.” — Cowley.
03 v. i. To have the feeling of love; to be in love.
  1. 1.
    To have the feeling of love; to be in love.