I.pleasantness, agreeableness, attractiveness, charm.
I. In gen.: “quasi salsa muriatica esse autumantur sine omni lepore et sine suavitate,” Plaut. Poen. 1, 2, 32: “aurea, pavonum ridenti imbuta lepore Saecla,” Lucr. 2, 502; 4, 1133: “omnis vitae lepos,” Plin. 31, 7, 41, § 88.—
II. In partic.
A. Of behavior, pleasantness, grace, politeness, amiability: “affluens omni lepore ac venustate,” Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 54, § 142: “in quo mihi videtur specimen fuisse humanitatis, salis, suavitatis, leporis,” id. Tusc. 5, 19, 55. —
B. As a term of endearment, = blanditiae, my delight, charmer: “respice, o mi lepos,” Plaut. Cas. 2, 3, 19; id. Curc. 1, 2, 4.—
C. Of speech, pleasantry, wit, humor (so most freq. in Cic.; cf.: “sal, facetiae, festivitas): Inest lepos ludusque in hac comoedia,” Plaut. As. prol. 13: “ea esset in homine jucunditas et tantus in jocando lepos ut, etc.,” Cic. de Or. 1, 7, 27: “urbanitatis oratorius, non scurrilis, lepos,” id. Brut. 38, 143; cf. id. de Or. 1, 34, 159: “floruit admirabili quodam lepore dicendi,” id. Ac. 2, 6, 16: “inusitatus nostris oratoribus lepos,” id. de Or. 2, 23, 98: “omnes verborum, omnes sententiarum lepores,” id. Or. 27, 96.
