A term of endearment used affectionately, or a beloved person; sometimes shortened as 'lovey-dovey' for sentimental affection.
Diminutive of 'love,' formed by adding '-y' or '-ey' (a common English suffix for creating pet names). Emerged in English around the 16th-17th centuries as an informal term of address.
The '-y' suffix is magic in English for creating terms of endearment—we do it with names (Bobby, Sally) and emotions (lovey, etc.)—it's how language transforms formal words into intimate ones through a single sound.
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