lovesome

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English lufsom, lufsum, from Old English lufsum (loving, lovable, pleasant), equivalent to love +‎ -some.

Adjective

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lovesome (comparative more lovesome, superlative most lovesome)

  1. Worthy of love; having qualities that inspire love; lovable. [from 10th c.]
  2. (now rare, chiefly Ireland) Affectionate; friendly. [from 10th c.]
  3. Lovable on account of beauty; lovely, beautiful. [from 12th c.]
    A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot!
    • 1700, John Dryden, “The Beginning of the First Book of Lucretius,”, in Lucretius His Six Books of Epicurean Philosophy:and Manlius His Five Books. Containing a System of the ncient Astronomy and Astrology:
      Through all the living Regions dost thou move,
      And scatter'st, where thou goest, the kindly Seeds of Love:
      Since then the race of every living thing,
      Obeys thy pow'r; since nothing new can spring
      Without thy Warmth, without thy Influence bear,
      Or beautiful or lovesome can appear,
      Be thou my Aid: my tuneful Song inspire,
      And kindle with thy own productive Fire;
    • 1893, Thomas Edward Brown, My Garden:
  4. (now rare) Amorous; showing or feeling love. [from 16th c.]
    • 1790 March 18, Hester Thrale Piozzi, Thraliana:
      [T]he Lady seems Lovesome, & I fancy lends him Money from Time to Time.

Synonyms

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Antonyms

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Derived terms

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Middle English

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Adjective

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lovesome

  1. Alternative form of lovesom