a. and sb. [ad. L. amātōri-us of or pertaining to amātor a lover.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to a lover, to love-making, or to sexual love generally.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physic, 183/1. When any person hath eaten any amatorye fascinations.
1772. Sir W. Jones, Poems & Ess., Pref. 11. The form of those little amatory poems.
1846. H. Ellis, Elgin Marbles, II. 109. The urn contained the ashes of some amatory poet.
1858. Thackeray, Virgin., xxi. (1878), 175. To say that she confessed this amatory sentiment.
B. sb. A love-potion, a philtre. [L. amatōrium.]
1635. Heywood, Hierarch., IX. 615. Magicke vanities, Exorcismes, Incantations, Amatories.
1652. Gaule, Magastrom., 268. Exorcisms, and incantations, and amatories.
1721. Bailey, Amatory, a philter to cause love. [Not in Johnson.]
