Also pseudo-arch. ladye-love. [f. LADY sb. (in sense 1 appositive; in sense 2 attrib.).]
1. A lady who is loved; a sweetheart.
A supposed example quoted from R. Wilson’s Coblers Prophesie (1594), is not to the point; Venus is called ‘Lady Love’ by more than one of the dramatis personæ.
1733. Theobald’s Shaks. Rom. & Jul., I. ii. 102. Your Ladylove [1623 Ladies loue].
1805. Scott, Last Minstrel, IV. xix. With favour in his crest, or glove, Memorial of his ladye-love.
1841. G. P. R. James, Brigand, ii. What man is there without a lady-love.
1871. Miss Yonge, Cameos, II. xxxii. 331. She begged the King to consent to his … marriage with his lady-love.
2. Love for ladies.
1818. Byron, Ch. Har., IV. xl. The minstrel who … Sang ladye-love and war.
