1. A person who is loved or dear; a beloved person (often used as a term of endearment).
Usage: informal; chiefly British

1. An exclamation expressing surprise, concern, or sympathy.
Usage: informal; chiefly British; variant of 'dearie'

Examples

• Come here, deary, and sit by the fire.
• Deary me, I've forgotten my keys again!
• She called her grandson 'deary' with great affection.
• Deary, what a dreadful day this has been.
• The old woman greeted her visitors warmly, calling each one 'deary.'