Loveliness
/ˈlʌv.li.nəs/noun
The quality of being beautiful, charming, or delightful.
Did you know?Loveliness descends from Old English lufu, a word for love, affection, and desire, so its beauty is historically rooted in feeling, not just appearance.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leubh-
“to care for, desire, love”
Old English
OE
lufu
“love, affection, desire”
Old English
OE
luflic
“lovable, dear, pleasant”
Middle English
ME
lovelich
“lovely, attractive, pleasing”
Early Modern English
English
loveliness
“the quality of being lovely”
Modern English
English
loveliness
“the quality of being beautiful or charming”