light-o'-love
Americannoun
-
a lover.
-
a prostitute.
Etymology
Origin of light-o'-love
First recorded in 1570–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She is no light-o'-love, my lord, but a good and honest maiden; and I would be the last to sully her purity by word or deed.
From Project Gutenberg
His is a heart that never played The light-o'-love to wife or maid, But reverenced all womankind Before he found one to his mind.
From Project Gutenberg
A mere light-o'-love and saucebox, as she had always herself called the miller's wife, was wholly unworthy to occupy, even in pity, the thoughts of so holy a man.
From Project Gutenberg
The dogs were whining; they sensed too well The load upon the sled; The rough-hewn box with the light-o'-love— A girl, 'twas said.
From Project Gutenberg
He had still another turn with a light-o'-love.
From Project Gutenberg
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
