[a. mod.Fr. amourette, a restoration in Fr. dress of Eng. AMORET obs. since 17th c.]
1. A petty amour or love-affair: cf. AMORET 5.
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., II. VII. ii. 161. A curious story, about one of Prince Freds amourettes.
1871. Pall Mall G., 7 Feb., 11/2. Youthful amourettes more or less scandalous.
2. The Love-grass or Quaking-grass (Briza media).
1702. Petiver, in Phil. Trans., XXIII. 1257. Each squamose head resembling those of the common Amourets.
[1866. Treas. Bot., Amourette (Fr.) Briza media.]
3. A cupid, an amoretto.
1860. Adler, Fauriels Prov. Poetry, iii. 50. Little amourettes, perched here and there upon the branches.