woo

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

woo, v. t. [OE. wowen, woen, AS. wgian, fr. wh bent, crooked, bad; akin to OS. wāh evil, Goth. unwahs blameless, Skr. vac to waver, and perhaps to E. vaccilate.].

•  To solicit in love; to court.  [1913 Webster]

  "Each, like the Grecian artist, wooes
  The image he himself has wrought."  [1913 Webster]
•  To court solicitously; to invite with importunity.  [1913 Webster]

  "Thee, chantress, oft the woods among
  I woo, to hear thy even song."  [1913 Webster]

  "I woo the wind
  That still delays his coming."  [1913 Webster]

woo, v. i. 

 To court; to make love.  Dryden.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

woo, v.tr. (woos, wooed)
1 court; seek the hand or love of (a woman).
2 try to win (fame, fortune, etc.).
3 seek the favour or support of.
4 coax or importune.

Derivative

wooable adj. wooer n.

Etymology

OE wogian (intr.), awogian (tr.), of unkn. orig.

THESAURUS

woo

address, allure, angle for, bait, bait the hook, beau, bid for, bill and coo, blandish, cajole, canvass, chase, coax, court, decoy, draw, draw in, draw on, ensnare, entice, esquire, fish for, flirt, flirt with, follow, give the come-on, inveigle, lay siege to, lead on, look for, lure, make suit to, make up to, offer bait to, pay attention to, pay court to, pop the question, pursue, rope in, seduce, seek, serenade, solicit, spark, squire, suck in, sue, sue for, swain, sweetheart

ROGET THESAURUS

woo

Desire

VB desire, wish, wish for, be desirous, have a longing, hope, care for, affect, like, list, take to, cling to, take a fancy to, fancy, prefer, have an eye, have a mind to, find it in one's heart, have a fancy for, set one's eyes upon, cast a sheep's eye upon, look sweet upon, take into one's head, have at heart, be bent upon, set one's cap at, set one's heart upon, set one's mind upon, covet, want, miss, need, feel the want of, would fain have, would fain do, would be glad of, be hungry, have a good appetite, play a good knife and fork, hunger after, thirst after, crave after, lust after, itch after, hanker after, run mad after, raven for, die for, burn to, desiderate, sigh for, cry for, gape for, gasp for, pine for, pant for, languish for, yearn for, long, be on thorns for, hope for, aspire after, catch at, grasp at, jump at, woo, court, solicit, fish for, spell for, whistle for, put up for, ogle, cause desire, create desire, raise desire, excite desire, provoke desire, whet the appetite, appetize, titillate, allure, attract, take one's fancy, tempt, hold out temptation, hold out allurement, tantalize, make one's mouth water, faire venir l'eau a la bouche, gratify desire.

Endearment

VB caress, fondle, pet, dandle, pat, pat on the head, pat on the cheek, chuck under the chin, smile upon, coax, wheedle, cosset, coddle, cocker, cockle, make of, make much of, cherish, foster, kill with kindness, clasp, hug, cuddle, fold in one's arms, strain in one's arms, nestle, nuzzle, embrace, kiss, buss, smack, blow a kiss, salute, fold to the heart, press to the bosom, bill and coo, spoon, toy, dally, flirt, coquet, gallivant, galavant, philander, make love, pay one's court to, pay one's addresses to, pay one's attentions to, serenade, court, woo, set one's cap at, be sweet upon, look sweet upon, ogle, cast sheep's eyes upon, faire les yeux doux, fall in love with, win the affections, die for, propose, make an offer, have an offer, pop the question, plight one's troth, plight one's faith.