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al remedy; litigation; as, to go law. When every case in law is right. Shak. He found law dear and left it cheap. Brougham.

se of; as, to lend a book; -- opposed to borrow. Give me that ring. I'll lend it thee, my dear, but have no power To give it from me. Shak.

Dear. See Lief. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Dear; beloved. [Obs., except in poetry.] "My liefe mother." Chaucer. "My liefest liege." Shak. As thou art lief and dear. Tennyson.

Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; -- used as a term of endearment.

iod of time; hence, the period itself; the full time or extent. The dateless limit of thy dear exile. Shak. The limit of your lives is out. Shak.

otion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters. Of all the dearest bonds we prove Thou countest sons' and mothers' love Most sacred, most Thine own. Keble.

Languishing with love or amorous desire; as, a love-sick maid. To the dear mistress of my love-sick mind. Dryden.

may hinder business; too near them, which lurcheth all provisions, and maketh everything dear. Bacon.

Figuratively, to unite in the closest and most endearing relation. Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you. Jer. iii. 14. To marry ropes. (Naut.) (a) To place two ropes along side of each other so that they may be grasped and hauled on at the same time. (b) To join two ropes end to end s…

My darling; -- an Irish term of endearment for a girl or woman. "Erin mavournin." Campbell.

en used contemptuously. This medley of philosophy and war. Addison. Love is a medley of endearments, jars, Suspicions, reconcilements, wars. W. Walsh.

d one; one highly esteemed and favored; -- in a good sense. [Obs.] God's disciple and his dearest minion. Sylvester. Is this the Athenian minion whom the world Voiced so regardfully Shak.

A little one; -- used as a term of endearment. [Obs.] Skelton.

To bewail audibly; to lament. Ye floods, ye woods, ye echoes, moan My dear Columbo, dead and gone. Prior.

A familiar term of endearment. Shak.

A term of endearment. [Obs.] See Mouse. B. Jonson.

Close to one's interests, affection, etc.; touching, or affecting intimately; intimate; dear; as, a near friend.

ifling moment; nimportant; trivial. [Obs.] The letter was not nice, but full of charge Of dear import. Shak.

To buy at too dear a rate. Dryden.