Dear | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Dēar, a.

adjective

a. [compar. DEARER; superl. DEAREST.] [A-S. deore, deor, dior, O. Sax. diuri, L. Ger. dür, D. duur, Icel., Dan., & Sw. dyr, O. H. Ger. tiur, tiuri, diur, diuri, N. H. Ger. theuer.] 1. Bearing a high price; calling for a large outlay; costly; expensive. The cheapest of us is ten groats too dear. Shak.

Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of price; as, a dear year.
Highly valued; much esteemed; greatly beloved; precious. “Hear me, dear lady.” Shak.

And the last joy was dearer than the rest. Pope. 4. Coming near, or closely touching, the heart; in a bad sense, oppressive; grievous; hostile. [Obs.] “Our dear peril.” Shak. “My dearest foe.” Shak.

Dear, adv.

adverb

Dearly; at a high rate. “So dear I love the man.” Shak.

If thou attempt it, it will cost thee dear. Shak.

Dēar, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. To make dear; to endear. [Obs.] Shelton.

Dēar, n.

noun

n. A dear one; one dearly beloved. That kiss I carried from thee, dear. Shak.