The love of little children called storge is so universal in all that is alive, because this aura, emanating from the Lord through the innermost heaven, where infancies dwell, surrounds and touches especially little children, then also the parents, especially mothers because they are forms of affection. Little children are especially touched by it, as is evident from the innocence in their face, speech and gestures, which then touches those more grown up in addition to the universal aura. This moving cause, wherever it meets with an ability to receive it, touches the receiver, causing a union, especially of parents with their little children. For this reason it also diminishes as the little ones grow up and come into their own rights. 1748, 8 May. * An imported Greek word meaning "parental love." (See OED.)