dalliance
UK[ˈdæl.i.əns]US[ˈdæl.i.əns]
n
a brief or casual involvement with or interest in something, especially a romantic or sexual relationship that is not serious.
n
the wasting of time in an idle or frivolous way.
Morpheme Breakdown
dalli
ance
dalli
to talk idly
ance
noun suffix
Etymology
the word dalliance originates from the middle english verb 'dallen', which meant to chat idly, play, or trifle. its ultimate origin is obscure but may be connected to old norse 'dæla', meaning to talk nonsense. the suffix '-ance', derived from latin '-antia', was added to form a noun denoting the action or state of dallying. over time, the sense evolved from general idle talk or play to specifically encompass frivolous romantic involvement and the act of wasting time in a leisurely, unserious manner.
Analysis
Structure: dalli (to talk idly) + ance (noun suffix)
dalli (from middle english 'dallen', meaning to talk idly or play, of uncertain origin, possibly old norse). ance (a noun-forming suffix of french and latin origin, indicating an action or state).
Examples
his dalliance with acting was brief before he returned to his law career.
the novel recounts the summer dalliance between two tourists in italy.
she had no time for dalliance; her focus was entirely on her research.