English

Alternative forms

• paramours

Adverb

paramour ‎(not comparable)

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

Noun

paramour ‎(plural paramours)

1. An illicit lover, either male or female.
   • (Can we date this quote?), Macaulay:

     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

Synonyms

• leman
• mistress

Translations