Dictionary entry

Lovely

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Love″ly (?), a. [Compar.Lovelier (?); superl.Loveliest.] [AS. luflic.] 1. Having such an appearance as excites, or is fitted to excite, love; beautiful; charming; very pleasing in form, looks, tone, or manner. “Lovely to look on.” Piers Plowman.

Not one so fair of face, of speech so lovely. Robert of Brunne.

If I had such a tire, this face of mine

Were full as lovely as is this of hers. Shak.

2. Lovable; amiable; having qualities of any kind which excite, or are fitted to excite, love or friendship.

A most lovely gentlemanlike man. Shak.

3. Loving; tender. “A lovely kiss.” Shak.

Many a lovely look on them he cast. Chaucer.

4. Very pleasing; — applied loosely to almost anything which is not grand or merely pretty; as, a lovely view; a lovely valley; a lovely melody.

Indeed these fields

Are lovely, lovelier not the Elysian lawns. Tennyson.

Syn. — Beautiful; charming; delightful; delectable; enchanting; lovable; amiable.