Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
LOVE
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lufu; akin to Old High German luba love, Old English lēof dear, Latin lubēre, libēre to please Date: before 12th century
1. a. strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties , attraction based on sexual desire ; affection and tenderness felt by lovers, affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests , an assurance of love , warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion ,
3. the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration , b. a beloved person ; darling , (2) British — used as an informal term of address
4. unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as, the fatherly concern of God for humankind, brotherly concern for others, a person's adoration of God, a god or personification of love, an amorous episode ; love affair , the sexual embrace ; copulation, a score of zero (as in tennis), god ,
II. verb (loved; loving) Date: before 12th century transitive verb to hold dear ; cherish ,
2. to feel a lover's passion, devotion, or tenderness for, b. caress , to fondle amorously, to copulate with, to like or desire actively ; take pleasure in , to thrive in , intransitive verb to feel affection or experience desire