Obs. Forms: 6–7 flo(u)ramor(e, flor(e)amour, flower amo(u)r, ? florimer. [a. OF. *flor amour (in Cotgr., fleur d’amour) lit. ‘flower of love.’ Cf. Ger. floramor (16th c.).
The suggestion that amour is a perversion of amaranthus seems not impossible, but is not supported by evidence.]
A name given to various cultivated species of Amaranthus.
1548. Turner, Names of Herbes (1881), 11. The other kynde [of Amarantus] is called here in Englande of some purple veluet floure, of other flouramore.
1597. Gerard, Herball, II. xl. 255. In English floure Gentle, purple Veluet floure, Floramor.
1611. Cotgr., Fleur d’amour, flower-gentle, flower-amour.
1665–76. Ray, Flora, 178. The great Floramour hath a thick and tall crested stalk, with many reddish large green leaves, the stalk divided into many branches, bearing long spikes of round hairy tufts.
¶ Misused for: Love of flowers.
1873. L. Wallace, Fair God, I. iv. 18. A breeze, strong enough to gently ripple the lake, hovered around the undulating retreats, scattering a largesse of perfume, and so ministering to the voluptuous floramour of the locality.
