dearie

plural dearies · alternative deary

1. colloquialterm of addressA person who is dear; sweetie.

   What a scare you gave me, dearie.

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

   1 more example

   At the mention of money Mrs Dibble was overcome with great debility, and wheezed, "I don't feel up to talking about money, matters just now, dearie. I think I better have a bit of a doze."

   1950, Norman Lindsay, Dust or Polish?, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 43