sweet

sweet [swēt]

adj.

[ME swete < OE, akin to swot, sweetness, Ger süss, sweet < IE base * swad-, pleasing to taste > Gr hēdys, sweet, L suadere, to persuade & suavis, sweet]

1.

a) having a taste of, or like that of, sugar

b) containing sugar in some form [sweet wines]

c) having a generally agreeable taste, smell, sound, appearance, etc.; pleasant

d) agreeable to the mind; gratifying [sweet praise]

e) having a friendly, pleasing disposition; characterized by kindliness and gentleness [a sweet girl]

f) dear: formerly a polite form of address [sweet sir]

g) sentimental, saccharine, or cloying

h) Slang good, delightful, etc.: a generalized epithet of approval

i) not rancid, spoiled, sour, or fermented [sweet milk, sweet cider]

j) not salty or salted: said of water or butter

k) free from sourness or acidity: said of soil

2. Chem.

a) free from unpleasant odors and gases

b) purified and free from acid, corrosive elements, etc.

3. Jazz designating or of music or playing characterized by more or less strict adherence to melody, sentimentality or blandness in tone and rhythm, and a moderate tempo

n.

1. the quality of being sweet; sweetness

2.

a) [pl.] sweet foods

b) Chiefly Brit. a piece of candy, or a sweet dessert

c) something, as an experience, that gives delight or satisfaction usually used in pl. [the sweets of victory ]

☆ d) short for SWEET POTATO

3. a sweet, or beloved, person; darling

adv.

in a sweet manner

——————

be sweet on

Informal to be in love with

sweetly

adv.

sweetness

n.