Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Dear
Dear
(dēr)
, Adj.
[
Com
par.
Dearer
(dēr′ẽr)
; sup
erl.
Dearest
(dēr′ĕst)
.] 1.
Bearing a high price; high-priced; costly; expensive.
The cheapest of us is ten groats too
dear
. Shakespeare
2.
Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of price;
as, a
. dear
year3.
Highly valued; greatly beloved; cherished; precious.
“Hear me, dear lady.” Shak.
Neither count I my life
dear
unto myself. Acts xx. 24.
And the last joy was
dearer
than the rest. Pope.
Dear
as remember’d kisses after death. Tennyson.
4.
Hence, close to the heart; heartfelt; present in mind; engaging the attention.
(a)
Of agreeable things and interests.
[I'll] leave you to attend him: some
Will in concealment wrap me up awhile.
dear
causeWill in concealment wrap me up awhile.
Shakespeare
(b)
Of disagreeable things and antipathies.
In our
dear
peril. Shakespeare
Would I had met my
Or ever I had seen that day.
dearest
foe in heavenOr ever I had seen that day.
Shakespeare
Dear
,Noun.
A dear one; lover; sweetheart.
That kiss I carried from thee,
dear
. Shakespeare
Dear
,adv.
Dearly; at a high price.
If thou attempt it, it will cost thee
dear
. Shakespeare
Dear
,Verb.
T.
To endear.
[Obs.]
Shelton.