Definition of the word endear to

The expression "endear to" originated in Old French around the 1300s, where it was first used as "enderer" or "enderir." Its meaning in Old French was similar to its current usage, which is to make someone feel more affectionate towards something or someone. The word's fundamental meaning came from the Old French phrase "enderieren," which consisted of "en-" (meaning "in") and "derreieren" (meaning "to please" or "to delight"). The French word evolved over time, undergoing phonetic changes such as the replacement of "en-" with "en-d-" to create "endrar" (meaning "to endear"). The word "endear" then migrated to Middle English, represented by its spelling "endere." The Middle English spelling closely resembled the Old French spelling, with the prefix "en-" appearing as "in-." By the 15th century, "endear" had replaced the previous Middle English spelling of "enderien" or "endarnen." Since then, "endear" has appeared in various forms in literature, such as John Milton's "Paradise Lost," where he writes, "he was endearing lilies smil'd the while." The word has also been featured in numerous English dictionaries since the 16th century. Today, "endear to" is still commonly used to describe events or behaviors that have a positive impact on someone's feelings towards something or someone else. It is a valuable idiom in the English language, conveying gratitude, affection, and fondness.