As we approach St. Valentine's Day, a nod to the romance industry. Our chosen word is of Italian origin, from the sixteenth century, and means very simply
a little love, a cupid
It claims common cause with amoret, which since 1651, and only in the plural, has signified
looks that inspire love; love-glances; "love tricks, dalliances"
Neither word has anything to do with that sickly-sweet concoction Amaretto di Saronno, much of which will nevertheless probably be consumed during dinners-for-two in the middle of the month.
