endear

verb

Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁én Proto-Italic *en Proto-Italic *en- Latin in- Old French en-bor. Middle English en- English en- English dear English endear From en- + dear.

1. To make (something) more precious or valuable.
2. To make (something) more expensive; to increase the cost of.
3. To stress (something) as important; to exaggerate.

   “Salvianus Massiliensis[…]saith, that amongst French-men, to lie and forsweare is no vice but a manner of speach. He that would endeare [translating encherir] this Testimonie, might say, it is now rather deemed a vertue among them.”

4. To make (someone) dear or precious.

   “By giving candy to the children the man tried to endear himself to them.”