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To hold or value too highly; to estimate at too dear a rate. [Obs.] Shak.

A penny's worth; as much as may be bought for a penny. "A dear pennyworth." Evelyn.

A word of endearment for a girl or woman. [Obs.] [Written also pigsnie, pigsny, etc.] Chaucer.

pes. I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude. Milton. E'en children followed, with endearing wile, And plucked his gown to share the good man's smile. Goldsmith.

Worthy of pity or sympathy; -- used also sometimes as a term of endearment, or as an expression of modesty, and sometimes as a word of contempt. And for mine own poor part, Look you, I'll go pray. Shak. Poor, little, pretty, fluttering thing. Prior.

Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections. She is more precious than rules. Prov. iii. 15. Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid. Hooker.

In a precious manner; expensively; extremely; dearly. Also used ironically.

The quality or state of being precious; costliness; dearness.

To determine beforehand, especially to disadvantage; to prejudge. Our dearest friend Prejudicates the business. Shak.

An intimate; a crony; a dear one. [Obs.] Lyly.

A pet name for a cat; also, an endearing name for a girl.

lation to a standard; cost; charge; as, high or low rates of transportation. They come at dear rates from Japan. Locke.

y or affinity; kinship; relationship; as, the relation of parents and children. Relations dear, and all the charities Of father, son, and brother, first were known. Milton.

ndum or note of something to be remembered. And on his breast a bloody cross he bore, The dear remembrance of his dying Lord. Spenser. Keep this remembrance for thy Julia's sake. Shak.

principles; laborius or continued search after truth; as, researches of human wisdom. The dearest interests of parties have frequently been staked on the results of the researches of antiquaries. Macaulay.

To make good; to make amends for. But if the while I think on thee, dear friend, All losses are restored, and sorrows end. Shak.

ssion of confused or nonsencial statements; foolish talk; nonsense. [Colloq.] Often one's dear friend talks something which one scruples to call rigmarole. De Quincey.

art of the person; as, a wedding ring. Upon his thumb he had of gold a ring. Chaucer. The dearest ring in Venice will I give you. Shak.

One who is pleasantly mischievous or frolicsome; hence, often used as a term of endearment. Ah, you sweet little rogue, you! Shak.

w and regret; to repent. Work by counsel and thou shalt not rue. Chaucer. Old year, we'll dearly rue for you. Tennyson.