leman

Definitions

1. A surname.
2. One beloved; a lover, a sweetheart of either sex (especially a secret lover; a gallant or mistress).
   archaic
3. A paramour.
   often, pejorative

Equivalents

Examples

“Faire Venus seemde vnto his bed to bring⟳ Her, whom he waking euermore did weene, To be the chastest flowre, that ay did spring⟳ On earthly braunch, the daughter of a king, Now a loose Leman to vile seruice bound[…].”

“The prisoner I speak⟳ of is better booty—a jolly monk riding to visit⟳ his leman, an I may judge⟳ by his horse-gear and wearing apparel.”

“'...They are lost, I tell⟳ thee, they are lost. For them there is no heaven nor hell, and in neither shall they praise⟳ God’s name⟳.’ ‘Father,’ cried the young Fisherman, ‘thou knowest not what thou sayest. Once in my net I snared the daughter of a King. She is fairer than the morning star, and whiter than the moon. For her body I would give⟳ my soul, and for her love⟳ I would surrender⟳ heaven. Tell⟳ me what I ask⟳ of thee, and let⟳ me go in peace.’ ‘Away! Away!’ cried the Priest: ‘thy leman is lost, and thou shalt be lost with her.’ And he gave him no blessing, but drove him from his door.”

“And he sent the news to William the Lyon, sitting drinking the wine and fondling his bonny lemans in Edinburgh Town, and William made him the Knight of Kinraddie[…].”

CEFR level