paramour

• paramours

From Middle English paramour, paramoure, peramour, paramur, from Old French par amor (“for love's sake”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpæ.ɹə.mʊə/, /ˈpæ.ɹə.mɔː/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈpæɹəmɔɹ/

  (Mary–marry–merry distinction)

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  (Mary–marry–merry merger)

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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.

   • 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).

paramour (not comparable)

1. (obsolete, of loving, etc.) Passionately, out of sexual desire. [from 14^thc.]

   Synonyms: devotedly, passionately

   • Chaucer

     For par amour I loved her first ere thou.

   • 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, chapter liij, in Le Morte Darthur, book X:

     Is this trouthe said Palomydes / Thenne shall we hastely here of sire Tristram / And as for to say that I loue la Beale Isoud peramours I dare make good that I doo / and that she hath my seruyse aboue alle other ladyes / and shalle haue the terme of my lyf

• paramour on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• “paramour” in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press.