- amour
- c.1300, "love," from O.Fr. amour, from L. amorem "love," from amare "to love" (see Amy). The accent shifted 15c.-17c. to the first syllable as the word became nativized, then shifted back as the naughty or intriguing sense became primary and the word was felt to be a euphemism.
"A common ME word for love, later accented ámour (cf. enamour). Now with suggestion of intrigue and treated as a F. word." [Weekley]