■ adjective
1》 regarded with deep affection.
↘en~ing; sweet.
↘used in the polite introduction to a letter.
2》 chiefly Brit. expensive.
■ noun used as an affectionate form of address.
↘an en~ing person.
■ adverb chiefly Brit. at a high cost.
■ exclamation used in expressions of surprise, dismay, or sympathy.
Derivatives
~ness noun
Origin
OE dēore , of Gmc origin.