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dear

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dear

1  [deer] adjective, -er, -est, noun, adverb, interjection
Use dear in a Sentence
–adjective
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. Obsolete. difficult to get; scarce.
9. Obsolete. worthy; honorable.
–noun
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 initial capital letter) an affectionate or familiar term of address (sometimes offensive when used to a stranger, subordinate, etc.)
–adverb
13. dearly; fondly.
14. at a high price: That painting cost me dear.
–interjection
15. (used as an exclamation of surprise, distress, etc.): Oh dear, what a disappointment! Dear me! What's all that noise?
Origin:
bef. 900; ME dere, OE dēore; c. OHG tiuri, ON dȳrr

Related forms:
dearly, adverb
dearness, noun

Synonyms:
1. darling, cherished. 5. See expensive.
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dear

2  [deer]
–adjective, -er, -est. Archaic.
hard; grievous.
Also, dere.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME dere, OE dēor brave, bold, severe
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To dear
dear 1   (dîr)   
adj.   dear·er, dear·est

    1. Loved and cherished: my dearest friend.

    2. Greatly valued; precious: lost everything dear to them.

    3. High-priced; expensive.

    4. Charging high prices.

  2. Highly esteemed or regarded. Used in direct address, especially in salutations: Dear Lee Dawson.

    1. High-priced; expensive.

    2. Charging high prices.

  4. Earnest; ardent: "This good man was a dear lover and constant practicer of angling" (Izaak Walton).

  5. Obsolete Noble; worthy.

  6. Heartfelt: It is my dearest wish.

n.  

  1. One that is greatly loved.

  2. An endearing, lovable, or kind person.

adv.  

  1. With fondness; affectionately.

  2. At a high cost: sold their wares dear.

interj.  Used as a polite exclamation, chiefly of surprise or distress: oh dear; dear me.

[Middle English dere, from Old English dēore.]
dear'ly adv., dear'ness n.
dear 2   (dîr)   
adj.  Severe; grievous; sore: our dearest need.

[Middle English dere, from Old English dēor.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

dear 
O.E. deore "precious, valuable, costly, loved," from W.Gmc. *deurjaz, ultimate origin unknown. Used interjectorily since 1694. As an introductory word to letters, it is attested from 1450.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

dear

In addition to the idiom beginning with dear, also see for dear life; nearest and dearest.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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