‖ con amore
(kɒn əˈmɔərɪ)
[It. (kon aˈmore); = ‘with love’.]
a. With love, zeal, or delight.
| 1739 T. Fitzosborne Let. Sept. (1795) 2 No matter what the object is, whether business, pleasures, or the fine arts; whoever pursues them to any purpose must do so con amore. 1782 H. Walpole Let. 7 Feb. (1858) VIII. 150 Sir John Hawkins..said..‘I suppose you will labour your present work con amore for your reputation.’ 1814 Jane Austen Mansf. Park II. xi. 236 She sat and cried con amore..but it was con amore fraternal and no other. 1826 Lamb Let. B. Barton 7 Feb., You wrote them [poems] with love—to avoid the coxcombical phrase, con amore. 1833 H. Martineau Fr. Wines & Pol. iv. 55 He begged to go first..expatiating con amore on his commodity. 1859 M. Napier Life Vct. Dundee I. i. 145 The murderous work, which he performed con amore. 1888 L. A. Smith Music of Waters 292 The wind is favourable and they give themselves up to singing con amore. 1955 Times 1 July 13/3 An excellent account of reclamation on Exmoor Forest, a book written con amore as he was deeply interested both in land reclamation and in Exmoor. |
b. quasi-adj. Friendly, hearty.
| 1828 The Harrovian 155 He has frequently spoken of his poetical labours in no very con-amore terms. |