belgard · noun — A loving look, an amorous glance. It carries an Arena rating of 1677, earned across 9 head-to-head judged battles.
Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, belgard ranks #181 of 17,162 for Most Beautiful Words, #1,809 of 17,148 for Most Betrayed by Its Sound, #1,824 of 17,162 for Most Elegant Words, #2,133 of 17,177 for Most Whimsical Words.
Why “belgard” is a great word
A loving or amorous glance. From the Italian phrase *bel guardo*, from *bel* (beautiful) and *guardo* (look, glance), it first entered English c. 1590. Unlike an 'ogle,' which is bold and often coarse, or a neutral, prolonged 'gaze,' a belgard is an act of tender and specific affection. It is the momentary, unguarded softening of eyes across a crowded room, the silent conversation held between two faces on a park bench, or the quiet benediction of a look that says everything is seen and forgiven—a silent, fleeting proof that some sentiments are too delicate for sound.
❧ Essay by Lexicurio’s AI · definition, etymology & citations from published sources
Etymology
From Italian bel guardo.
noun
- A loving look, an amorous glance.e.g.“Vpon her eyelids many Graces sate, / Vnder the shadow of her euen browes, / Working belgards, and amorous retrate […]” — 1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto III”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC:
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
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