Venery

Pronunciation:
/venərē/

Definition:
the art, act, or practice of hunting

Etymology:
Middle English venerie, from Anglo-French, from Old French vener to hunt, from Latin venari

First Known Use: 14th century

This word is used in a beautifully written book I am currently reading, "Hotel du Lac" by Anita Brookner. In the following passage, Brookner is describing a woman:

"To Penelope, men were conquests, attributes, but they were also enemies; they belonged to the species that must never be granted more than the amount of time and attention she considered they deserved."

She goes on to say that Penelope "was accomplished in venery."

Accomplished in the hunt; the chase. Isn't this a wonderful word?

I use Botticelli's famous painting The Birth of Venus to illustrate this word because it seems to depict the chase between man and woman perfectly.

Enamored

Pronunciation:
 \i-ˈna-mər\

Definition:
1: to inflame with love —usually used in the passive with of

2: to cause to feel a stro
ng or excessive interest or fascination —usually used in the passive with of or with
 
Etymology:
Middle English enamouren, from Anglo-French enamourer, from en- + amour love

First Known Use: 14th century

This is not a new word for any of you. However, my friend Debbie uses it in such an English way that I find that I am ... well ... enamored with her usage.
 
Debbie will describe something that someone either likes or dislikes and uses this word. "Paul is not enamored with my going to Birmingham," as an example. "I am enamored with her style of writing," as another example.
 
Just like my grandmother used to exclaim of a good idea: "That is a pregnant idea!" Debbie uses this word, typically used in the description of lovey-dovey feelings, to describe anything dealing with feeling. I love this usage!