beloved, ppl. a. and n.
(bɪˈlʌvɪd, -ˈlʌvd)
Also 4 by-luffede, 5 bylouyd, 6–7 beloued.
[f. as prec. + -ed1.]
A. ppl. adj. Loved. (Often well-, best-, first-, etc.)
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xii. xiii. (1495) 423 Gnattes ben beste bylouyd meete to swalowes. c 1485 Digby Myst. (1882) ii. 510 Welbelouyd frendes. 1535 Coverdale Song 3 Childr. 11 For thy beloued Abrahams sake. 1552 Bk. Com. Prayer, Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places. 1591 Shakes. Two Gent. ii. ii. 57 How happily he liues, how well belou'd. 1647 W. Browne Polexander ii. 143 The fairest and best belovedst daughter of the Emperour. 1817 Coleridge Sibyl. Leaves (1862) 243 'Twas even thine, beloved woman mild! 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 1 Impatient to be once more in his beloved country. |
B. n. (ellipt. use of adj.: cf. dear.) One who is beloved, a loved one.
| 1526 Tindale 1 John iii. 2 Derely beloved, now are we the sonnes of God. 1589 Warner Alb. Eng, vi. xxxi. 155 The Louer and Beloued are not tyed to one Law. 1611 Bible Song v. 9 What is thy beloued more then another beloued? 1748 G. White MS. Serm., 'Tis the nature of Love to extend itself to all things belonging to it's Beloved. 1850 Mrs. Browning Consolation, There are left behind Living Beloveds. 1872 Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. lxxi. 24 Others talk of their beloveds, and they shall be made to hear of mine. |