† chereadj.
Obsolete.
1. Dear.
a. Of persons. Also as n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > loved one > [noun]
darlingc888
the apple of a person's eyeeOE
lief971
light of one's eye(s)OE
lovedOE
my lifelOE
lovec1225
druta1240
chere1297
sweetc1330
popelotc1390
likinga1393
oninga1400
onlepya1400
belovedc1430
well-beloved1447
heart-rootc1460
deara1500
delicate1531
belove1534
leefkyn1540
one and only1551
fondling1580
dearing1601
precious1602
loveling1606
dotey1663
lovee1753
passion1783
mavourneen1800
dote1809
treasure1844
seraph1853
sloe1884
darlint1888
asthore1894
darl1930
the mind > emotion > love > loved one > [adjective]
lief and deara900
dearOE
sweetOE
lovedOE
dearlyOE
liefOE
dearworth?c1225
chere1297
lovered1340
beloveda1375
dearworthyc1374
chary?a1400
sugaredc1475
tender1485
chereful1486
affectionatea1513
dilect1521
chare1583
ingling1595
darling1596
affected1600
in the love of1631
jewel-darling1643
adorable1653
fonded1684
endeared1841
dotey1852
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (1724) 166 Þe chere men of lond.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Prov. v. 19 A most cheere hynde and a most kindeli hert calf.
?a1400 Arthur 306 Þis was a worthy chere.
a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich Hist. Holy Grail xlvi. l. 448 My brothir dere..Of Alle othere to me most chere.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy xxi. 8629.
b. Of things: Precious, valuable, goodly, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > [adjective] > of great value
dearworthc888
richa1225
preciousc1300
cherec1320
of pricea1325
dearworthyc1374
wealthy1565
valurous1590
estimable1600
important1810
gilt-edged1821
c1320 tr. J. Bonaventura Medit. 203 No þyng more profytable, ne more chere.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 4513 Achilles the choise was in the chere temple.
2. Loving, fond, careful (over). Cf. chary adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [adjective] > affectionately or tenderly
chere1393
fotive1634
cherishing1689
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xviii. 148 Þat is charite, my leue childe, to be cher ouer thi soule.
1496 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (de Worde) x. iii. 373/2 A pellycane, & of al foules he is moost chere ouer his byrdes and moost loueth them.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online December 2020).
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adj.1297