dearly

[deer] Origin

dear

1[deer] adjective, dear·er, dear·est, noun, adverb, interjection
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.
EXPAND
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.
COLLAPSE
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.)

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Dearly is always a great word to know.
So is doohickey. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, 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:
before 900; Middle English dere, Old English dēore; cognate with Old High German tiuri, Old Norse dȳrr

dear·ly, adverb
dear·ness, noun


1. darling, cherished. 5. See expensive.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
dearly (ˈdɪəlɪ)
 
adv
1.  very much: I would dearly like you to go
2.  affectionately
3.  at a great cost

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

dear
O.E. deore "precious, valuable, costly, loved," from W.Gmc. *deurjaz, ultimate origin unknown. Used interjectorily since 1690s. As an introductory word to letters, it is attested from mid-15c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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