Obs. Forms: see LOVE sb. and DAY. [trans. med.L. dies amoris (Du Cange).]
1. A day appointed for a meeting with a view to the amicable settlement of a dispute; hence, an agreement entered into at such a meeting.
c. 1290. S. Eng. Leg., I. 445/510. Ofte huy nomen louedai: ake þet contek euere i-laste.
1387–8. T. Usk, Test. Love, I. ii. (Skeat), l. 95. Moste of all, maked I not a louedaie, bitwene God and mankind?
1390. Gower, Conf., I. 39. Helle is full of such descord That ther may be no loveday.
c. 1420. Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 692. Fyghters, brawlers, brekers of lofedayes.
1493. Festivall (W. de W., 1515), 79. There was made a fynyte loveday betwene the kyng & Thomas [à Becket].
1519. Horman, Vulg., vii. 66 b. He is more redy to make a fraye than a loue daye.
1588. Shaks., Tit. A., I. i. 491. This day shall be a Loue-day Tamora.
1655. Fuller, Waltham Abb., 9. The Townsmen … desired a Love-day.
attrib. 1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 95. Also ye shal be no loueday maker.
2. nonce-use. A day devoted to love-making.
1590. Greene, Mourn. Garm. (1616), D 3 b. Oft haue I heard my liefe Coridon report on a loue-day, When bonny maides doe meete with the Swaines in the vally by Tempe.
