An Irish sweetheart or beloved person; a term of endearment in Irish English, from Irish 'a chara' (dear friend).
From Irish a bhruinneall or similar Irish Gaelic endearments, possibly influenced by 'avoureen.' The exact Irish etymology is debated, but it clearly derives from Irish Gaelic terms of affection that entered English through Irish-English speakers.
This word is a beautiful example of Irish English—it's half-Irish, half-English, and fully romantic. Irish immigrants brought this term to America, where it appears in folk songs and Irish-American literature as a marker of cultural identity and authentic Irish voice.
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