Precious
Precious , adjective
[Old French precious, precius, precios, French précieux, Latin pretiosus, from pretium price, worth, value. See Price.]
1.
Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone.
The precious bane.
2.
Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.
She is more precious than rules.
Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid.
Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal.
3.
Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Compare Précieuse, Preciosity.
Lest that precious folk be with me wroth.
Elaborate embroidery of precious language.
Collocations (2)
Precious metals , the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver.
Precious stones , gems; jewels.