dear 1
— dearly , adv. — dearness , n.
/dear/ , adj., dearer, dearest , n., adv., interj.
adj.
1. beloved or loved: a dear friend.
2. (used in the salutation of a letter as an expression of affection or respect or as a conventional greeting): Dear Sir.
3. precious in one's regard; cherished: our dearest possessions.
4. heartfelt; earnest: one's dearest wish.
5. high-priced; expensive: The silk dress was too dear.
6. charging high prices: That shop is too dear for my budget.
7. excessive; high: a dear price to pay for one's independence.
8. Obs. difficult to get; scarce.
9. Obs. worthy; honorable.
n.
10. a person who is good, kind, or generous: You're a dear to help me with the work.
11. a beloved one.
12. ( sometimes cap. ) an affectionate or familiar term of address (sometimes offensive when used to a stranger, subordinate, etc.)
adv.
13. dearly; fondly.
14. at a high price: That painting cost me dear.
interj.
15. (used as an exclamation of surprise, distress, etc.): Oh dear, what a disappointment! Dear me! What's all that noise?
[ bef. 900; ME dere, OE deore; c. OHG tiuri, ON dyrr ]
Syn. 1. darling, cherished. 5. See expensive .
dear 2
/dear/ , adj., dearer, dearest . Archaic.
hard; grievous.
Also, dere .
[ bef. 1000; ME dere, OE deor brave, bold, severe ]