endearmentn.
1. † b. An obligation of gratitude, a bond of attachment. Cf. endear v. 6b. Obsolete.
a. The action of endearing or the fact of being endeared; concrete something that endears, that excites or increases affection.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > loved one > [noun] > action of endearing
endearment1663
endearance1766
1663 L. Womock Aron-bimnucha or Antidote to cure Calamites 3 The Object of all this Care, this Indeerment and joy, is the Ark of God.
1673 R. Allestree Ladies Calling ii. 82 One of the greatest endearments of Abraham to God.
1688 H. Wharton Enthusiasm Church of Rome 78 The belief of his endearment to God, made him often presume upon the Favour of Heaven.
1690 J. Norris Christian Blessedness 200 The Heathen, to whom as the Unity and Agreement of the First Christians was a great indearment.
1881 P. Brooks Candle of Lord 164 The enlargement of the faith brings the endearment of the faith.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > gratitude > [noun] > debt of gratitude
obligement1611
endearment1628
obligation1632
indebtment1646
indebtedness1647
obligedness1656
fealty1867
on1946
1628 J. Earle Micro-cosmogr. xlii. sig. H2 His deepest indearment is a communication of mischiefe.
1677 M. Hale Contempl. ii. 72 That Lust..which the..Saviour, upon the Indearment of his own Blood, begs us to Crucifie.
2. An action or utterance expressive of love or fondness; a caress. Also abstract.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > action of caressing > [noun] > instance of caressing
toya1400
endearing1622
fondling1640
caressa1657
endearment1702
fondle1750
woo1937
love-up1953
1702 N. Rowe Tamerlane i. i. 341 Are War and Slavery the soft Endearments With which they court the Beauties they admire?
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. xxi. 140 His Indearments and Tenderness to his Lady..was alone worthy of all her Risque.
1853 C. Brontë Villette III. xxxviii. 190 M. Paul petted and patted her; the endearments she received were not to be wondered at.
1867 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest I. iv. 180 A mere name of endearment.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > affection > [noun]
lovingeOE
cherte?c1225
amoura1300
dearnessc1320
affectionc1384
homelinessc1384
kindnessc1390
affect1440
gleimc1449
regard?1533
infection1600
affectation1607
fonding1640
endearedness1654
charities1667
endearment1709
affectuosity1730
affectionateness1751
fondliness1821
grá1833
aroha1846
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation xliii. 477 Between these two there was a long and great endearment.
1746 J. Hervey Medit. among Tombs 18 If you really love the Offspring of your own Bodies; if your Bowels yearn over those amiable Pledges of conjugal Endearment.
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel I. 60 Travellers returned from foreign ground Feel more endearments for their native earth.
4. The making (a commodity) dearer. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [noun] > (an) increase in price > raising price
endearing1622
endearment1864
1864 Guardian 21 Dec. 1218 People bought in provisions against the endearments of Sella's new tariffs.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > improvement > [noun]
betteringeOE
amendmentc1230
bote of beam1330
meliorationa1400
upraisingc1400
reformation?a1425
amelioration?a1450
enrichinga1513
amendsa1547
gooding1567
betterment1594
meliorization1599
endearment1612
raisure1613
betterance1614
ascenta1616
ascension1617
enrichmenta1626
improvement1625
booty beam1642
meliorating1647
bonification1652
uplift1873
work1914
pickupa1916
upgrading1920
tone-up1943
stepping1958
upgradation1979
upgrade1980
1612 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don-Quixote: Pt. 1 iii. xiii. 249 It is rather a poetical Endearment, than an approv'd Truth.
1702 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion I. ii. 113 If his condition..were so good that it needed no indearment.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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