Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
DEAR, adj. Used ellipt. for dear Lord, in phrs.: 1. (the) dear be here, an expression of astonishment = good gracious! (Cai.7, Abd.2, Fif.1 1940); 2. dear bliss a', id.; 3. dear bless you, “God bless you, an exclamation” (Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.); 4. dear help you, “God help you” (Ib.); 5. dear keep (u)s = 1. (Bnff.2, Abd.2, Fif.1 1940); 6. dear kens (knows), God knows (implying that the speaker does not) (Cai.7, Bnff.2, Abd.2, Fif.1, Slg.3, Kcb.1 1940; Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.); 7. dear love you, “God love you” (Uls. 1880 W. H. Patterson Gl. Ant. and Dwn.); 8. dear pity me, an expression of sorrow (Cai.9 1946); 9. dear sake, excl. implying a mild protestation (Abd.27 1949); 10. ma dear on ye = 3, an exclamation used when correcting a misunderstanding. Most of the above ejaculations are obs. or dial. in Eng.1. Abd. publ. 1867 Mrs Allardyce Goodwife at Home i.:
Eh! Dear be here, mem, is this you?Bch. 1832 W. Scott Poems 3:
The dear be here! an' is it true ye say?2. Cai.7 1940:
“Chairlie's oot o' 'is mind.” “Dear bliss a'! fat did 'at?”5. Fif. 1806 A. Douglas Poems 36:
Dear keep's, ye're surely daft or fou.6. Sc. 1887 A. S. Swan Gates of Eden xiv.:
What'll be in't dear only kens.Lnk. 1928 G. Blake Paper Money 97:
A wild character, this friend of yours — a socialist and dear knows what.9. Dmb. 1817 J. Walker Poems 75:
O Dearsake Will, wad ye allow A man like me to caution you.10. Cai.7 1940:
“Chonnie'll be gettan on weel wi' 's schoolan noo.” “Ma dear on ye, he's been a minister iss twa year.”
