Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Paramour?

\Par"a*mour\, n. [F. par amour, lit., by or with love. See 2d {Par}, and {Amour}.] 1. A lover, of either sex; a wooer or a mistress (formerly in a good sense, now only in a bad one); one who takes the place, without possessing the rights, of a husband or wife; -- used of a man or a woman. The seducer appeared with dauntless front, accompanied by his paramour --Macaulay. 2. Love; gallantry. [Obs.] ``For paramour and jollity.'' --Chaucer.
\Par"a*mour`\, Paramours \Par"a*mours`\, adv. By or with love, esp. the love of the sexes; -- sometimes written as two words. [Obs.] For par amour, I loved her first ere thou. --Chaucer.