■ noun
1》 an intense feeling of deep affection.
↘a deep romantic or sexual attachment to someone.
↘affectionate greetings.
2》 a great interest and pleasure in something.
3》 a person or thing that one ~s.
↘ Brit. informal a friendly form of address.
4》 (in tennis, squash, etc.) a score of zero. [appar. from the phr. play for ~ (i.e. the ~ of the game, not for money).]
■ verb feel a deep romantic or sexual attachment to.
↘like or enjoy very much.
Phrases
for ~ for pleasure not profit.
make ~
1》 have sexual intercourse.
2》 ( make ~ to ) dated pay amorous attention to.
not for ~ or money informal not in any circumstances.
there's no ~ lost between there is mutual dislike between.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~lessly adverb
~lessness noun
Origin
OE lufu , of Gmc origin; related to leave 2 and lief .