limerence
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From arbitrary first element + -ence. Coined by American psychologist Dorothy Tennov in 1979 as an arbitrary euphonious replacement or alteration of amorance.
Pronunciation
Noun
limerence (countable and uncountable, plural limerences)
- (psychology) An involuntary romantic infatuation with another person, especially combined with an overwhelming, obsessive need to have one's feelings reciprocated. [from 20th c.]
- 1977 September 11, Dorothy Tennov, The Observer:
- I first used the term ‘amorance’ then changed it back to ‘limerence’ […]. It has no roots whatsoever. It looks nice. It works well in French. Take it from me it has no etymology whatsoever.
- 2003 December 14, Andrew G Marshall, The Observer:
- When someone is under the spell of limerence, not even being rejected dampens down the madness.
- 2010, Alyson Schafer, Breaking the Good mom Myth:
- But limerence, lovely as it feels, is a time-limited event—it lasts about five years for most couples.
- 2024 January 27, Amanda McCracken, The New York Times:
- Limerence is a state of overwhelming and unexpected longing for emotional reciprocation from another human, known as a limerent object (LO), who is often perceived as perfect but unavailable.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related terms
Translations
state of mind
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See also
Portuguese
Etymology
Borrowed from English limerence.
Noun
limerence f (plural limerences)
- (psychology, rare) limerence (state of mind caused by a romantic attraction)
- Synonym: enfatuação
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