ˈdear-ˈbought, a.
[dear adv.]
Bought at a high price, obtained at great cost.
| c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame iii. 662 For that is dere boghte honour. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 31 Dere bought and far fet Are deinties for Ladies. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, i. i. 252 Englands deere bought Queen. 1719 De Foe Crusoe (1840) I. xiv. 232 Dear-bought experience. 1813 Scott Rokeby iii. xxii, Our dear-bought victory. |