beloved

adjective

1. greatly loved; dear to the heart.

noun

2. a person who is greatly loved.

adjective

1. dearly loved

noun

2. a person who is dearly loved, such as a wife or husband

adj.

late 14c., from past participle of verb belove (c.1200), from be- + loven “to love” (see love (v.)). Noun meaning “one who is beloved” is from 1520s.