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 1649. Davenant, Love & Honour, ii. 1. A lock for the left side, so rarely hung with ribbanding of various colours.

1663. Butler, Hudibras, 1. i. 253. Like Samson's heart-breakers it grew In time to make a nation rue.

1821. Blackwood's Mag., x. 267. Pretty little fantastic chignons and love-*locks.

1836. Michael Scott, Tom Cringle's Log, ii. The outlandishness of the fashion was not offensive, when I came to take into the account the beauty of the plaiting, and of the long raven love-*locks that hung down behind each of his small transparent ears.

1868. Brewer, Phrase and Fable, s.v. Love lock. When men indulge in a curl in front of their ears, the love-*lock is called a bell-rope—i.e., a rope to pull the belles after them.

Lovely, adj. (colloquial).—Attractive; alluring.

1653. Walton, Complete Angler, 85. This trout looks lovely.

Love-pot, subs. (old).—A drunkard. For synonyms see Lushington.

Lover's-Knot. To tie the true lover's knot, verb. phr. (venery).—To copulate. For synonyms see Greens and Ride.

Love's Channel (-Harbour, -Paradise, -Fountain, or -Pavillion), subs. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms see Monosyllable.

1598. John Marston, Pigmalion. Until his eye discended so far downe That it descried loves pavillion, Where Cupid doth enjoy his onely crowne, And Venus hath her chiefest mention.

d.1639. Carew [Anderson, Poets, 689]. Thou shalt steer and guide into love's channel.

c.1727. Old Ballad [B. M. Cat 11621, l/1. 46]. Each night when sport's over, and love's fountain's dry, She, weary with stitching contented does lie.

Love's picklock, subs. (venery).—The penis. For synonyms see Creamstick and Prick.

Lovey (or Lovey-dovey), subs. (common).—A term of endearment.

1763. Foote, Mayor of Garratt, i. I go, Lovy.

1796. Holman, Abroad & at Home, i. 1. If I am ever so little a while away from you, my darling, it appears a long, tedious age. How does my lovey do? Do look tender—'tis so becoming to you; and besides, if you don't, you know you break my heart.

1837. C. Dickens, Pickwick Papers, p. 385 (ed. 1857). 'Who else is a goin', lovey?' said Mrs. Cluppins in an insinuating manner.

1841. Punch, i. 226. 'The Prince's Title.' Lovey-dovey has been spoken of; but it is not likely that His Royal Highness will assume the style and dignity of lovey-dovey for a considerable period.

Low. To Lie Low, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To keep quiet; to bide one's time.

Low in the lay, phr. (thieves').—In straits; hard-up (q.v.).

1830. Lytton, Paul Clifford, 'Song.' As, just at present, I'm low in the lay, I'll borrow a 'quid' if you please.

Low-countries, subs. (venery).—The female pudendum. For synonyms see Monosyllable.

Low-down, adj. (colloquial).—Vulgar.

1883. Eggleston, The Graysons, xviii. Her archaic speech was perhaps a shade better than the low-down language of Broad Run.

Lowdowner, subs. (American).—See quots.

1871. De Vere, Americanisms, 45. So low a person he appears as Conch or lowdowner in North Carolina.

1883. Stevenson, The Silverado Squatters, 151. They are at least known by a generic byword, as poor whites or low-downers.