1. (n.) One who loves; one who is in love; -- usually limited, in the singular, to a person of the male sex.

2. (n.) A friend; one strongly attached to another; one who greatly desires the welfare of any person or thing; as, a lover of his country.

3. (n.) One who has a strong liking for anything, as books, science, or music.

4. (n.) Alt. of Lovery

Maecenas abettor acquaintance addict admirer adorer advocate aficionado alter ego amorist angel apologist aspirant aspirer babe baby baby-doll backer beau beloved best friend bosom friend boyfriend brother buff buttercup candidate casual acquaintance champion cherub chick chickabiddy close acquaintance close friend collector confidant confidante coveter darling dear deary defender dependence desirer devotee doll doxy duck duckling encourager endorser exponent familiar fan fancier fancy man favorer fellow fellow creature fellowman flame follower freak friend friend at court girl friend habitue hankerer hon honey honey bunch honey child hopeful hound inamorata inamorato infatuate inseparable friend intimate lamb lambkin love mainstay maintainer man master neighbor other self paramour paranymph partisan patron pet petkins pickup precious precious heart promoter protagonist pursuer reliance repository second seconder sectary sider snookums solicitant sponsor stalwart standby steady sugar sugar daddy suitor support supporter sustainer sweet sweetheart sweetie sweetkins sweets sympathizer truelove upholder votary wanter well-wisher wisher woman wooer yearner