I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: Middle English swete hert, from swete sweet + hert heart — more at sweet , heart
1. : darling — often used as a term of endearment
2. : one who is loved : lover
she married … an old sweetheart — W.F.De Morgan
saw the face of his sweetheart , his wife — Zane Grey
3.
a. : american orpine
b. sweethearts plural : the cleavers ( Galium aparine )
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
: to have a sweetheart : make love
boys your age ought to be sweethearting — Richard Church
transitive verb
: court , woo