English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

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.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

paramour (plural paramours)

  1. (somewhat archaic) An illicit lover, either male or female.
    Synonyms: leman, mistress; see also Thesaurus:mistress
    to run away with a paramour
    • 1848, Thomas Maucalay, The History of England from the Accession of James the Second:
      The seducer appeared with dauntless front, accompanied by his paramour.
    • 1934, Yusuf Ali, transl., The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary, surah 4, verse 25:
      They should be chaste, not lustful, nor taking paramours:
    • 2016 February 23, Robbie Collin, “Grimsby review: ' Sacha Baron Cohen's vital, venomous action movie'”, in The Daily Telegraph (London):
      The action scenes are deafening and punchily staged by director Louis Letterier (The Transporter), though I wish he’d set more time aside to spend with Nobby, his paramour Dawn (Rebel Wilson), their shaven-headed brood, and friends
  2. (obsolete) The Virgin Mary or Jesus Christ (when addressed by a person of the opposite sex).

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

Verb edit

paramour (third-person singular simple present paramours, present participle paramouring, simple past and past participle paramoured)

  1. To go with a paramour; to have an affair.
    • 1842, John de Jean Fraser, The Stranger in His Native Place:
      The paramouring matron left / A babe and husband both bereft;
    • 2011, Joanna L. Grossman, Lawrence M. Friedman, Inside the Castle, Princeton University Press, →ISBN:
      This meant it could even call in "third party 'paramours'" and tell them to quit their paramouring.

Derived terms edit

Adverb edit

paramour (not comparable)

  1. (obsolete, of loving, etc.) Passionately, out of sexual desire.
    Synonyms: devotedly, passionately

Further reading edit

Middle English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from Old French par amour (for love's sake); equivalent to par- +‎ amour.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˌparaˈmuːr/, /ˈparamur/, /ˈparəmur/

Adverb edit

paramour

  1. In a loving or sexual way; amorously, passionately.
    Synonym: amorously
  2. In a kind or caring way; affectionately.
  3. Please (used to make a request)

Descendants edit

  • English: paramour (obsolete)

References edit

Noun edit

paramour (plural paramours)

  1. A lover; a sexual or romantic partner:
    1. A paramour; an illicit sexual or romantic partner.
    2. A term of address for someone that one loves.
  2. Sexual, romantic or (less often) spiritual passion.
  3. (rare, figurative) Used of Jesus or Mary

Descendants edit

References edit