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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Romance \Ro*mance"\, n. [OE. romance, romant, romaunt, OF.
romanz, romans, romant, roman, F. roman, romance, fr. LL.
Romanice in the Roman language, in the vulgar tongue, i. e.,
in the vulgar language which sprang from Latin, the language
of the Romans, and hence applied to fictitious compositions
written in this vulgar tongue; fr. L. Romanicus Roman, fr.
Romanus. See {Roman}, and cf. {Romanic}, {Romaunt},
{Romansch}, {Romanza}.]
1. A species of fictitious writing, originally composed in
meter in the Romance dialects, and afterward in prose,
such as the tales of the court of Arthur, and of Amadis of
Gaul; hence, any fictitious and wonderful tale; a sort of
novel, especially one which treats of surprising
adventures usually befalling a hero or a heroine; a tale
of extravagant adventures, of love, and the like.
"Romances that been royal." --Chaucer.
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Upon these three columns -- chivalry, gallantry, and
religion -- repose the fictions of the Middle Ages,
especially those known as romances. These, such as
we now know them, and such as display the
characteristics above mentioned, were originally
metrical, and chiefly written by nations of the
north of France. --Hallam.
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2. An adventure, or series of extraordinary events,
resembling those narrated in romances; as, his courtship,
or his life, was a romance.
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3. A dreamy, imaginative habit of mind; a disposition to
ignore what is real; as, a girl full of romance.
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4. The languages, or rather the several dialects, which were
originally forms of popular or vulgar Latin, and have now
developed into Italian. Spanish, French, etc. (called the
Romanic languages).
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5. (Mus.) A short lyric tale set to music; a song or short
instrumental piece in ballad style; a romanza.
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6. a love affair, esp. one in which the lovers display their
deep affection openly, by romantic gestures.
[PJC]

Syn: Fable; novel; fiction; tale.
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Romance \Ro*mance"\, a.
Of or pertaining to the language or dialects known as
Romance.
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Romance \Ro*mance"\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Romanced}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Romancing}.]
To write or tell romances; to indulge in extravagant stories.
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A very brave officer, but apt to romance. --Walpole.
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