[f. ADMIRE v. + -ER1.]
1. One who admires, wonders at, or views with surprise and pleasure, or with pleasure only.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. vii. § 5 (1873), 54. There was not a greater admirer of learning [than Trajan].
1710. Addison, Whig-Exam., No. 2, ¶ 1. I never yet knew an Author that had not his admirers.
1839. Dickens, Lett. (1880), I. 27. A little tribute from an unknown but ardent admirer of your genius.
2. ‘In common speech, a lover.’ J.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Comical View, Wks. 1730, I. 163. ’Tis by your beauty that you make so many of your admirers hang and drown themselves every year.
1874. Black, Pr. Thule, 35. Vexed by the incomprehensible conduct of her reputed admirer.
