endear
English
Alternative forms
- indear
Etymology
From en- + dear.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ɪnˈdɪə/, /ɛnˈdɪə/
- (US) IPA(key): /ɪnˈdɪəɹ/, /ɛnˈdɪəɹ/
- Rhymes: -ɪə(r)
Verb
endear (third-person singular simple present endears, present participle endearing, simple past and past participle endeared)
- (obsolete) To make (something) more precious or valuable. [16th-17th c.]
- (obsolete) To make (something) more expensive; to increase the cost of. [17th-19th c.]
- (obsolete) To stress (something) as important; to exaggerate. [17th c.]
- 1603, John Florio, transl.; Michel de Montaigne, chapter 18, in The Essayes, […], book II, printed at London: By Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], OCLC 946730821:
- Salvianus Massiliensis […] saith, that amongst French-men, to lie and forsweare is no vice but a manner of speach. He that would endeare [transl. encherir] this Testimonie, might say, it is now rather deemed a vertue among them.
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- To make (someone) dear or precious. [from 18th c.]
Synonyms
- bedear
Derived terms
- endearer
- endearing
- endearment
- unendearing
Anagrams
- Andree, earned, neared, readen