Par"a*mour (?), n. [F. par amour, lit., by or with love. See 2d Par, and Amour.] 1. A lover, of either sex; a wooer or a mistress (formerly in a good sense, now only in a bad one); one who takes the place, without possessing the rights, of a husband or wife; -- used of a man or a woman.

The seducer appeared with dauntless front, accompanied by his paramour

2. Love; gallantry. [Obs.] "For paramour and jollity." Chaucer.

{ Par"a*mour`, Par"a*mours` (?) }, adv. By or with love, esp. the love of the sexes; -- sometimes written as two words. [Obs.]

For par amour, I loved her first ere thou.

• An illicit lover, either male or female.