means A deep feeling of affection, attachment, or care for another person, thing, or idea — ranging from passionate desire to quiet devotion.

from From Old English 'lufu,' tracing back to a Proto-Germanic root 'lubo' and ultimately the Proto-Indo-European '*leubh-,' meaning to care, desire, or hold dear. It's a deep family word, cousin to Latin 'libet' (it pleases) and 'libido' (desire), and to the Old English 'lief' meaning dear or beloved — so the same ancient root that gives us love also quietly seeds our word for what we simply find pleasing.