Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LOUR, n. [See LOWER.]

LOUSE, n. [lous; plur. Lice. Sax. lus, plur. lys; D. luis; G. laus; Sw. and Dan. lus.]

The popular name of a genus of parasitic insects, termed Pediculus, with a flattened body divided into eleven or twelve segments, to three of which is attached a pair of legs, which are short, and terminated by a stout nail or two opposing hooks, which enable these animals to cling with great facility. The mouth consists of a small tubular protuberance situated at the anterior extremity of the heed, in the form of a snout, and containing a sucker when at rest. Their eggs are termed nits in English. Two species infest the bodies of men. Different animals are infested with different species.

LOUSE, v.t. [louz.]

To clean from lice. – Swift.

LOUSE'-WORT, n. [lous'-wort.]

A plant of the genus Pedicularis. The yellow louse-wort is the genus Rhinanthus. – Fam. of Plants.

LOUS'ILY, adv. [s as z. From lousy.]

In a mean, paltry manner; scurvily.

LOUS'I-NESS, n. [s as z.]

The state of abounding with lice.

LOUS'Y, a. [s as z. From louse.]

1. Swarming with lice; infested with lice. – Dryden.
2. Mean; low; contemptible; as, a lousy knave. – Shak.

LOUT, n. [Qu. Sax. leod, G. leute, people.]

A mean, awkward fellow; a bumpkin; a clown. – Shak. Gay.

LOUT, v.i. [Sax. hlutan.]

To bend; to bow; to stoop. [Obsolete or local.] – Spenser. B. Jonson.

LOUT'ISH, a.

Clownish; rude; awkward. – Sidney.

LOUT'ISH-LY, adv.

Like a clown; in a rude, clumsy, awkward manner.

LOU'VER, n. [loo'ver; Fr. l'ouvert.]

An opening in the roof of a cottage for the smoke to escape. – Spenser.

LOV'A-BLE, a.

Worthy of love; amiable. – Sherwood.

LOV'AGE, n.

A plant of the genus Ligusticum. – Fam. of Plants.

LOVE, n.

1. An affection of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure, sensual or intellectual. It is opposed to hatred. Love between the sexes, is a compound affection, consisting of esteem, benevolence, and animal desire. Love is excited by pleasing qualities of any kind, as by kindness, benevolence, charity, and by the qualities which render social intercourse agreeable. In the latter case, love is ardent friendship, or a strong attachment springing from good will and esteem, and the pleasure derived from the company, civilities and kindnesses of others. Between certain natural relatives, love seems to be in some cases instinctive. Such is the love of a mother for her child, which manifests itself toward an infant, before any particular qualities in the child are unfolded. This affection is apparently as strong in irrational animals as in human beings. We speak of the love of amusement, the love of books, the love of money, and the love of whatever contributes to our pleasure or supposed profit. The love of God is the first duty of man, and this springs from just views of his attributes or excellencies of character, which afford the highest delight to the sanctified heart. Esteem and reverence constitute ingredients in this affection, and a fear of offending him is its inseparable effect.
2. Courtship; chiefly in the phrase, to make love, that is, to court; to woo; to solicit union in marriage.
3. Patriotism; the attachment one has to his native land; as, the love of country.
4. Benevolence; good will. God is love. 1 John iv.
5. The object beloved. The lover and the loved of human kind. – Pope.
6. A word of endearment. Trust me, love. – Dryden.
7. Picturesque representation of love. Such was his form as painters, when they show / Their utmost art, on naked loves bestow. – Dryden.
8. Lewdness. He is not lolling on a lewd love-bed. – Shak.
9. A thin silk stuff. [Obs.] – Boyle. Love in idleness, a kind of violet. – Shak. Free of love, a plant of the genus Cercis. – Fam. of Plants.

LOVE, v.t. [luv; Sax. lufian, luvian; D. lieven; G. lieben; Russ. lioblyu; L. libeo, lubeo; Sans. loab, love, desire. See Lief. The sense is probably to be prompt, free, willing, from leaning, advancing, or drawing forward.]

1. In a general sense, to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification. We love a friend on account of some qualities which give us pleasure in his society. We love a man who has done us a favor; in which case gratitude enters into the composition of our affection. We love our parents and our children, on account of their connection with us, and on, account of many qualities which please us. We love to retire to a cool shade in summer. We love a warm room in winter. We love to hear an eloquent advocate. The Christian loves his Bible. In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the Christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence toward the interests of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matth. xxii. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matth. xxii.
2. To have benevolence or good will for. John iii.

LOVE'-AP-PLE, n.

A plant of the genus Solanurn, or Lycopersicum.

LOVE'-BRO-KER, n.

A third person who acts as agent between lovers. – Shak.

LOV'ED, pp.

Having the affection of any one.

LOVE'-DARTING, a.

Darting love. – Milton.

LOVE'-DAY, n.

A day formerly appointed for an amicable adjustment of differences. – Chaucer.

LOVE'-FA-VOR, n.

Something given to be worn in token of love. – Bp. Hall.

LOVE-FEAST, n.

A religious festival held quarterly by the Methodists.

LOVE'-KILL-ING, a.

Killing affection. – Baxter.

LOVE'-KNOT, n. [luv'-not.]

A knot so called, used as a token of love or representing mutual affection.