GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found one definition

1.       
   Precious , a. [OF. precious, precius, precios, F. précieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value. See Price.]
   Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. “The precious bane.”
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.
   1913 Webster
   She is more precious than rules.
   Prov. iii. 15.
   
   1913 Webster
   Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid.
   Hooker.
   
   1913 Webster
   Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal.
   1913 Webster
   Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Précieuse, Preciosity.
   1913 Webster
   Lest that precious folk be with me wroth.
   Chaucer.
   
   1913 Webster
   Elaborate embroidery of precious language.
   Saintsbury.
   
   Webster 1913 Suppl.
   Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver. -- Precious stones, gems; jewels.
   1913 Webster