01 a. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone.
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1.
Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone.
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2.
Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.“She is more precious than rules.” — Prov. iii. 15.“Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid.” — Hooker.
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3.
Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Précieuse, Preciosity. See: Précieuse, Preciosity“Lest that precious folk be with me wroth.” — Chaucer.“Elaborate embroidery of precious language.” — Saintsbury.
Phrases & compounds
Precious metals —
the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver.
Precious stones —
gems; jewels.