terms of endearment

Noun

term of endearment (plural terms of endearment)

1. A word, phrase, or nickname used as a term of address expressing affection; it is often a diminutive.
   • The words had such a softening influence, that he appended a term of endearment to Mrs. Dombey's name (though not without some hesitation, as being a man but little used to that form of address): and said, ‘Mrs. Dombey, my—my dear.’1846, Charles Dickens, chapter 1, in Dombey and Son

   Synonyms:

   endearment

   Antonyms:

   term of abuse