n. 1. One who loves; one who is in love; -- usually limited, in the singular, to a person of the male sex. Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]
Love is blind, and lovers can not see
The pretty follies that themselves commit. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. A friend; one strongly attached to another; one who greatly desires the welfare of any person or thing; as, a lover of his country. [ 1913 Webster ]
I slew my best lover for the good of Rome. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. One who has a strong liking for anything, as books, science, or music. “A lover of knowledge.” T. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]
4. One who is involved in a sexual relationship with another; as, she took a lover. [ PJC ]