It. almond-flavored liqueur, 1945 (the original brand, Amaretto di Saronno, dates to 1851), from the It. word for almond (q.v.), which did not acquire the excrescent -l- of the Eng. word. Sometimes confused with amoretto (1596), from It., lit. "little love," a dim. of amore "love." This word was variously applied to love sonnets, cupids, etc. Amoroso (lit. "lover"), a type of sweetened sherry, is attested from c.1870.
[am-uh-ret-oh, ah-muh-] 
