Irishmen: from their frequently making use of that expression.
·adv Dearly; at a high price. II. Dear ·noun A dear one; lover; sweetheart. III. Dear ·vt To <<End...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
·adj Bought at a high price; as, dear-bought experience. ...
·adj Greatly beloved. ...
An exclamation of surprise, used in the same sense as "Oh dear!" ...
Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.
sometimes GOODING ON THEE! an imprecation of blessing. Derb. ...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose