cherish
/ΛtΚΙrΙͺΚ/
Definition
To feel or show great love and care for someone or something; to keep something dear in your heart.
Example
She cherishes the letters her grandmother wrote to her.
Show translation
She holds those letters very close to her heart and values them deeply.
Etymology
From Old French *cherir* ("to hold dear"), derived from *cher* ("dear, beloved"), which traces back to Latin *carus* ("dear, precious"). The same Latin root gives English "caress" and "charity." The word entered Middle English around the 15th century.
Cultural note
*Cherish* frequently appears in wedding vows β "to love and to cherish" β making it a word with strong romantic and ceremonial weight in English-speaking cultures. It also turns up in song titles and poetry, giving it a slightly elevated, heartfelt tone without being formally literary.