What is dear?

More definitions of "dear":

• (noun): A beloved person; used as terms of endearment.
  Synonyms: beloved, dearest, loved one, honey, love

• (adj): With or in a close or intimate relationship.
  Example: "My sisters and brothers are near and dear"
  Synonyms: good, near

• (adj): Earnest.
  Synonyms: devout, earnest, heartfelt

• (adj): Dearly loved.
  Synonyms: beloved, darling

• (noun): A sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child).
  Synonyms: lamb

• (adv): With affection.
  Synonyms: dearly, affectionately

• (adv): At a great cost.
  Example: "This cost him dear"
  Synonyms: dearly

Famous quotes containing the word dear:

“From this moment, then, my dear girl—but why, permit me to ask, must a female be made Nobody? Ah! my dear, what were this world good for, were Nobody a female?”
—Frances Burney (1752–1840)

“our Saviour asked his dear mother
If he could play at ball.”
—Unknown. The Bitter Withy (l. 3–4)

“Thy due from me
Is tears and heavy sorrows of the blood,
Which nature, love, and filial tenderness
Shall, O dear father, pay thee plenteously.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)