From Old English 'dēore' (precious, beloved), from Proto-Germanic *deurijaz — the 'costly' and 'beloved' senses have coexisted for over a millennium.
From Old English 'dēore' meaning 'precious, valuable, beloved,' from Proto-Germanic *deurijaz. The double meaning of 'beloved' and 'expensive' dates to Old English — what is precious is both loved and costly. Key roots: *deurijaz (Proto-Germanic: "precious, valuable").