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- Paramour came to English from French (a language based on Latin), though the modern French don't use the word.
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paramour
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What does paramour mean in English?
Where does the noun paramour come from?
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What does Amour mean in French?
What does par amour mean?
OED's earliest evidence for paramour is from before 1375, in William of Palerne. It is also recorded as an adverb from the Middle English period (1150—1500). paramour is of multiple origins.
Paramour came to English from French (a language based on Latin), though the modern French don't use the word. Since par amour meant "through love", it implies a relationship based solely on love, often physical love, rather than on social custom or ceremony.
The noun paramour evolved from the French phrase par amour, meaning “passionately” or “with desire.” If you break it down, you get par, meaning "by," and amour, the French word for love. Once upon a time, women used this word to describe Christ, and men would use it to refer to the Virgin Mary.
Where does the adverb paramour come from? Earliest known use. Middle English. The earliest known use of the adverb paramour is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for paramour is from before 1300, in Floris and Blauncheflur. paramour is a borrowing from French. Etymons: French par amour. See etymology. Nearby entries.
Noun. paramour ( pl. paramours) An illicit lover, either male or female. 1848, Thomas Maucalay, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second: " The seducer appeared with dauntless front, accompanied by his paramour.
Sep 27, 2024 · From Middle English paramour, paramoure, peramour, paramur, from Old French par amor (“for love's sake”). The modern pronunciation is apparently an Early Modern English readaptation of the French.
The noun 'paramour' has its roots in Old French, specifically from the term 'par amour,' which literally means 'by love.' In this context, 'par' signifies 'by' or 'through,' and 'amour' stands for 'love.' Over time, the phrase 'par amour' evolved into the single word 'paramour' in English.
