paramour
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English paramour, paramoure, peramour, paramur, from Old French par amor (“for love's sake”).
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpæ.ɹə.mʊə/, /ˈpæ.ɹə.mɔː/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈpæɹəmɔɹ/
- (Mary–marry–merry distinction)
Audio (US) (file) - (Mary–marry–merry merger)
Audio (US) (file)
- (Mary–marry–merry distinction)
Noun
paramour (plural paramours)
- (somewhat archaic) An illicit lover, either male or female.
- Synonyms: leman, mistress; see also Thesaurus:mistress
- to run away with a paramour
- 1848, Thomas Maucalay, 'The History of England from the Accession of James the Second':
- The seducer appeared with dauntless front, accompanied by his paramour.
- 2016 February 23, Robbie Collin, “Grimsby review: ' Sacha Baron Cohen's vital, venomous action movie'”, in The Daily Telegraph (London):
- The action scenes are deafening and punchily staged by director Louis Letterier (The Transporter), though I wish he’d set more time aside to spend with Nobby, his paramour Dawn (Rebel Wilson), their shaven-headed brood, and friends
- (obsolete) The Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ (when addressed by a person of the opposite sex).
Translations
illicit lover
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Adverb
paramour (not comparable)
- (obsolete, of loving, etc.) Passionately, out of sexual desire. [from 14thc.]
- Synonyms: devotedly, passionately
- Chaucer
- For par amour I loved her first ere thou.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter liij, in Le Morte Darthur, book X:
- Is this trouthe said Palomydes / Thenne shall we hastely here of sire Tristram / And as for to say that I loue la Beale Isoud peramours I dare make good that I doo / and that she hath my seruyse aboue alle other ladyes / and shalle haue the terme of my lyf
Further reading
paramour on Wikipedia.Wikipedia- “paramour” in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press.
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