Dear

a.
  1. Bearing a high price; high-priced; costly; expensive.
  2. Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of price; as, a dear year.
  3. Highly valued; greatly beloved; cherished; precious.
  4. Hence, close to the heart; heartfelt; present in mind; engaging the attention.
    1. Of agreeable things and interests.
    2. Of disagreeable things and antipathies.

n.
  1. A dear one; lover; sweetheart.

adv.
  1. Dearly; at a high price.

v. t.
  1. To endear.