I. rō-ˈman(t)s, rə-; ˈrō-ˌ noun
Etymology: Middle English romauns, from Anglo-French romanz French, narrative in French, from Medieval Latin Romanice in a vernacular (as opposed to Latin), from Late Latin Romanus Gallo-Romance speaker (as opposed to a Frank), from Latin, Roman
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural
(2) : a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious
(3) : a love story especially in the form of a novel
b. : a class of such literature
2. : something (as an extravagant story or account) that lacks basis in fact
3. : an emotional attraction or aura belonging to an especially heroic era, adventure, or activity
4. : love affair
5. capitalized : the Romance languages
II. verb
( ro·manced ; ro·manc·ing )
Date: 1655
intransitive verb
1. : to exaggerate or invent detail or incident
2. : to entertain romantic thoughts or ideas
transitive verb
1. : to try to influence or curry favor with especially by lavishing personal attention, gifts, or flattery
2. : to carry on a love affair with
III. noun
Etymology: German Romanze & French romance, both ultimately from Spanish romance romance, ballad, from Old Occitan & Old French romanz
Date: circa 1854
: a short instrumental piece in ballad style