true-love

A sailor ties a true-love knot in a thick rope.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Beloved person: "true-love" refers to a person who is genuinely and deeply loved, especially in a romantic or faithful relationship.
   • A type of knot: "true-love" can also denote a knot tied in a specific figure-eight pattern, often symbolizing enduring love or fidelity (also called a "true-love knot" or "true-lover's knot").

Usage Examples

• Noun (beloved person):

  • She is my true-love, and I will never leave her. (She is the person I genuinely and faithfully love.)
  • The knight swore his loyalty to his true-love. (The knight pledged his devotion to the woman he deeply loved.)

• Noun (knot):

  • He tied a true-love knot in the ribbon as a token of his affection. (He made a figure-eight knot as a symbol of lasting love.)

Advanced Usage

• "true-love" as a term of endearment: used poetically or in old-fashioned contexts to refer to a romantic partner.

  • Come, my true-love, let us walk by the sea. (Come, my beloved, let us stroll together.)

• "true-love knot": a decorative knot representing eternal love.

  • The couple exchanged rings tied with a true-love knot. (They gave rings connected by a symbol of everlasting love.)

Variants and Related Words

• True-lover's knot (n): the same figure-eight knot, often used in love tokens.

  • She wore a locket with a true-lover's knot engraved on it. (The locket had a design of the knot symbolizing faithful love.)

• True love (n, two words): genuine, deep affection (not necessarily a person).

  • Their relationship was built on true love. (Their bond was based on sincere affection.)

Synonyms

• Sweetheart: a beloved person.
  • He bought flowers for his sweetheart. (He gave flowers to his beloved.)
• Beloved: a person who is dearly loved.
  • She is my beloved. (She is the one I love deeply.)
• Lover: a person in a romantic relationship.
  • They are lovers. (They are romantically involved.)

Related Idioms

• "True-love never runs smooth": a variation of "the course of true love never did run smooth," meaning romantic relationships often face difficulties.
  • They argued, but true-love never runs smooth. (Disagreements are normal in a faithful relationship.)

Phrasal Verbs

• No direct phrasal verbs are associated with "true-love." However, the verb "love truly" can be used.
  • He loves her truly and faithfully. (He loves her with genuine, lasting affection.)