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To make dear or beloved. "To be endeared to a king." Shak.

With affection or endearment; dearly.

State of being endeared.

Making dear or beloved; causing love. -- En*dear"ing*ly, adv.

The act of endearing or the state of being endeared; also, that which manifests, excites, or increases, affection. "The great endearments of prudent and temperate speech." Jer. Taylor. Her first endearments twining round the soul. Thomson.

A fine fellow; -- a term of endearment. [Obs.] "How now, my bawcock " Shak.

An act of endearment; any act or expression of affection; an embracing, or touching, with tenderness. Wooed her with his soft caresses. Langfellow. He exerted himself to win by indulgence and caresses the hearts of all who were under his command. Macaulay.

To put away or reject; to disregard. [R.] Connections formed for interest, and endeared By selfish views, [are] censured and cashiered. Cowper. They absolutely cashier the literal express sense of the words. Sowth.

A child or young person; -- a term of endearment. Shak.

A chicken; a fowl; also, a trivial term of endearment for a child.

A word of endearment; -- corrupted from chick. "Pray, chuck, come hither." Shak.

of her mother's fears. Shak. Cheer thy spirit with this comfort. Shak. Speaking words of endearment where words of comfort availed not. Longfellow.

Compliments; greetings. [Obs.] Hearty commends and much endeared love to you. Howell.

ddress or salutation; an appellation. "Metaphorical compellations." Milton. He useth this endearing compellation, "My little children." Bp. Beveridge. The peculiar compellation of the kings in France is by "Sire," which is nothing else but father. Sir W. Temple.

A human being, in pity, contempt, or endearment; as, a poor creature; a pretty creature. The world hath not a sweeter creature. Shak.

To endear. [Obs.] Shelton.

A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle. O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. Cant. ii. 14. Dove tick (Zoöl.), a mite (Argas reflexus) which infests doves and other birds. -- Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang]

language, style, form, architecture, etc. That grace that elegance affords. Drayton. The endearing elegance of female friendship. Johnson. A trait of native elegance, seldom seen in the masculine character after childhood or early youth, was shown in the General's fondness for the sight and fragrance of flowers. Hawth…

A term of endearment; darling; -- corrupted from honey. [Prov. Eng.] Wright.

Sweet one; -- a term of endearment. Chaucer. Honey, you shall be well desired in Cyprus. Shak.