love words

so i'm gonna be honest. in my past, whether single and lonely or happy in my current relationship(s), i've never been a huge advocate for v-day {ok, except maybe when i was a kid and it was just another occasion for candy}. but in my defense i'm not a big promoter of any overly commercialized holidays. really.

i've done quite a bit of soul searching, reading and pondering on my own meaning of "love" lately. i want something deeper than a Hallmark card and not as over-worked as 1 Corinthians 13 {although it happens to be one of my favorite passages) i find language simply fascinating and am always interested in the meanings of words and their history. so i thought it fitting since today is valentine's day, to share a list of some of my favorite "love words" and their definitions :-}

ardor |ˈärdər| ( Brit. ardour)

nounenthusiasm or passionORIGIN late Middle English : via Old French from Latin ardor, fromardere ‘to burn.’

endearment |enˈdi(ə)rmənt|
nouna word or phrase expressing love or affection.

affection |əˈfek sh ən|noun1 a gentle feeling of fondness or liking2 archaic the act or process of affecting or being affected.ORIGIN Middle English : via Old French from Latin affectio(n-), fromafficere ‘to influence’

dote |dōt|verb [ intrans. ]1 ( dote on/upon) be extremely and uncritically fond of

passion |ˈpa sh ən|noun1 strong and barely controllable emotion• an intense desire or enthusiasm for something or someone• a thing arousing enthusiasmORIGIN Middle English : from Old French, from late Latin passio(n-)(chiefly a term in Christian theology), from Latin pati ‘suffer.’

***{i find the root meaning of passion exceptionally relevant to love, which along with great joy and fulfillment, can bring suffering also}***

besotted |biˈsätid|adjective1 strongly infatuated2 archaic intoxicated; drunk.ORIGIN late 16th cent.: past participle of besot [make foolishlyaffectionate,] from be- [cause to be] + sot .

what are your favorite "love words"??

happy monday and happy valentine's day everyone!!