Word of the Day: Limerence
Pronunciation: LIM-er-uhns
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition:
A state of intense emotional infatuation or obsessive romantic attraction.
Etymology and Origins
Coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in the 1970s, limerence describes the euphoric, involuntary feelings associated with early-stage romantic obsession. Unlike love, limerence is often characterized by uncertainty, longing, and idealization.
Usage in Literature
- Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights – Heathcliff’s relentless obsession with Catherine is an extreme form of limerence.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby – Gatsby’s idealized pursuit of Daisy exemplifies limerence, rather than true love.
- Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper – The narrator’s fixation on an imagined presence reflects an altered form of limerence.
Modern Application
- Psychology: Studied as a phenomenon distinct from love, often linked to unreciprocated desire.
- Everyday Language: “Their relationship was fueled by limerence, not genuine affection.”
- Popular Culture: Many films and songs capture the fleeting intensity of limerence.
The Significance of This Word
By distinguishing romantic obsession from love, limerence provides insight into human emotions and the complexities of attraction.