Finding Love in Lost Words

This Valentine’s Day, when you’re trying to express your feelings to your beloved, you may be at a loss for words. But if you’d rather something a little less mundane, you can use lost words, such as these now-obsolete English words taken from the new book “Lost Words of Love” (Clarkson Potter) by Susan Kelz Sperling.

Here are a few to spice up your romantic vocabulary:

* Clove and orange--a term for intimacy, close relationship.

* Copesmate--a companion, friend.

* Court holy water--to flatter.

* Fairhead--beauty.

* Fogue--fury, ardor, passion.

* Frim--flourishing, fleshy, juicy, vigorous.

* Halch--to embrace, hold on tightly while in a person’s arms.

* Half-marrow--a spouse, husband or wife; a partner.

* Loveship--courting; the act of making love.

* Mistress-piece--a “masterpiece” of feminine beauty.

* Muskin--a sweetheart, pretty face, term of endearment for a woman.

* Smick--to kiss.

* Snoozle--to nestle, snuggle.

* Snout-fair--fair-faced, handsome to the point of becoming conceited.

* Vult--countenance, facial expression.