n.
Pronunciation: ' er- ˌ äs, ' ir-
Function: noun
Etymology: Greek Er ō s, from er ō s sexual love; akin to Greek erasthai to love, desire
Date: 14th century
1 : the Greek god of erotic love ― compare CUPID
2 : the sum of life-preserving instincts that are manifested as impulses to gratify basic needs, as sublimated impulses, and as impulses to protect and preserve the body and mind ― compare DEATH INSTINCT
3 a : love conceived in the philosophy of Plato as a fundamental creative impulse having a sensual element b often not capitalized : erotic love or desire