a. [ AS. derne, dyrne, dierne, hidden, secret. Cf. Derne. ] Secret; lonely; solitary; dreadful. [ Obs. ] Shak. -- Dearn"ly, adv. [Obs.] Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

v. t. Same as Darn. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The quality or state of being dear; costliness; excess of price. [ 1913 Webster ]

The dearness of corn. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fondness; preciousness; love; tenderness. [ 1913 Webster ]

The dearness of friendship. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]