- agape (n.)
- c. 1600, from Greek agape "brotherly love, charity," from agapan "greet with affection, love," which is of unknown origin. Agape was used by early Christians for their "love feast" held in connection with the Lord's Supper. In modern use, often in simpler sense of "Christian love" (1856, frequently opposed to eros as "carnal or sensual love").
- agape (adv.)
- 1660s, from a- (1) + gape (v.).