amour
UK[əˈmʊə(r)]US[əˈmʊr]
n
A secret or illicit love affair.
n
A feeling of romantic love.
Etymology
The word 'amour' entered English in the 14th century, borrowed directly from the Old French 'amur' or 'amour', meaning 'love'. The French term itself derives from the Latin 'amor', which carries the same meaning of 'love' or 'affection'. This Latin noun is built on the verb 'amare', meaning 'to love', a root that can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European am-, also signifying 'to take hold of' or 'to grasp', a concept that metaphorically evolved into the idea of emotional possession and attachment. In English, 'amour' retains a distinctly French flavor, often connoting a secret, romantic, or illicit love affair, distinguishing it from the more general native term 'love'.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from French. It is not productively segmented using English morphemes.
Examples
The novel recounts the poet's tragic amour with a married woman.
He was often the subject of gossip due to his numerous amours.
She looked at him with a gaze full of amour.