DE'ARNESS, noun 1. Scarcity; high price, or a higher price than the customary one; as the dearness of corn. 2. Fondness; nearness to the heart or affections; great value in estimation; preciousness; tender love; as the dearness of friendship.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI