ˈlady-love
Also pseudo-arch. ladye-love.
[f. lady n. (in sense 1 appositive; in sense 2 attrib.).]
1. A lady who is loved; a sweetheart.
A supposed example quoted from R. Wilson's Coblers Prophesie (1594) is not to the point; Venus is called ‘Lady Love’ by more than one of the dramatis personæ.
| 1733 Theobald's Shaks. Rom. & Jul. i. ii. 102 Your Lady-love [1623 Ladies loue]. 1805 Scott Last Minstr. iv. xix, With favour in his crest, or glove, Memorial of his ladye-love. 1841 James Brigand ii, What man is there without a lady-love. 1871 C. M. Yonge Cameos II. xxxii. 331 She begged the King to consent to his..marriage with his lady-love. |
2. Love for ladies.
| 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. xl, The minstrel who..Sang ladye-love and war. |