/dɪə(r) ||; dɪr/adj1 used at the beginning of a letter before the name or title of the person you are writing to (用于书信的开端,收信人姓名或头衔之前): Dear Sarah, ... 亲爱的萨拉﹕…Dear Sir or Madam, ... 敬启者﹕…
2 dear (to sb) loved by or important to sb 心爱的;(对某人)重要的: It was a subject that was very dear to him. 这是他很喜欢的科目。She's one of my dearest friends. 她是我最要好的朋友之一。
3 (Brit 英) expensive 昂贵的: How can people afford to smoke when cigarettes are so dear? 香烟这么贵,谁还抽得起?
close/dear/near to sb's heart→
HEART