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light-of-love

light-of-love

9.9
A woman who often changes her lovers
  • noun
  • /ˈlaɪt əv lʌv/
  • Slur
translation icon : mujer ligera (ofensivo, arcaico)
  • She was labeled a light-of-love by the village gossips for changing suitors so frequently.

Examples

  • The nobleman abandoned his wife for a light-of-love whose affections proved short-lived.

  • In Shakespeare's plays, a light-of-love is often the subject of both admiration and scorn.

  • She was known as a light-of-love in the town.

  • Many referred to her as a light-of-loves at the party.

  • She was labeled a light-of-love by the village gossips for changing suitors so frequently.

  • The nobleman abandoned his wife for a light-of-love whose affections proved short-lived.

  • In Shakespeare's plays, a light-of-love is often the subject of both admiration and scorn.

Antonyms

104 1.8

Loyal and steady in support of a person, group, or idea

72 3.5

Stays firm and loyal in support for someone

How Faithful

light-of-love
  • Slur
9.9

Surface Forms

light-of-love singular

Morphology

light-of-love = light + love (semi-transparent) = of + light + love

The components 'light' + 'love' suggest 'frivolous in matters of love', which gives a general hint, but the specific sense 'promiscuous or unfaithful' and archaic register are not fully predictable.

Etymology

The word light-of-love pairs the word light, which in older English meant 'not heavy', 'quick', or 'flighty', with love, so it paints the picture of a love that is easy to change. That's why a light-of-love came to mean a woman seen as 'inconstant' or 'not faithful'.