lovelingn.
/ˈlʌvlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈləvlɪŋ/ A dear or lovely creature; a darling (frequently as a term of endearment) (cf. lovely n.); (also) a young lover.In quot. 1606 perhaps: a lovebird.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > loved one > [noun]
darlingc888
the apple of a person's eyeeOE
lief971
light of one's eye(s)OE
lovedOE
my lifelOE
lovec1225
druta1240
chere1297
sweetc1330
popelotc1390
likinga1393
oninga1400
onlepya1400
belovedc1430
well-beloved1447
heart-rootc1460
deara1500
delicate1531
belove1534
leefkyn1540
one and only1551
fondling1580
dearing1601
precious1602
loveling1606
dotey1663
lovee1753
passion1783
mavourneen1800
dote1809
treasure1844
seraph1853
sloe1884
darlint1888
asthore1894
darl1930
1606 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 60 These frollike Louelings fraighted Nests doo make The balmy Trees o'r-laden Boughs to crack [Fr. Des arbres embaumez les trop chargez rameaux Petillent sous les nids des gentils amoureaux.].
1853 E. S. Sheppard Charles Auchester II. 111 ‘And Herr Hummel’, my loveling went on, pursing his lips, ‘said’ [etc.].
1882 J. Payne 1001 Nights I. 155 Upon the imperial necks she walks, a loveling bright.
1949 R. C. Hutchinson Elephant & Castle, Reconstruction xxv. 263 A voice far softer than Mama's, crying ‘Catch me, lovelings, catch me!’ as she ran up the green slope.
1971 A. Diment Think Inc. (1973) 96 Don't fret, loveling.
2002 W. Rhode Paperback Raita (2003) 307 They may be superstar lovelings, but they're human like everyone else.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1606