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(), a.[OF. precious, precius, precios, F. prcieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value. See Price.] 1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. "The precious bane." Milton. 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. Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal. 3. Particular; fastidious; overnice. [Obs.] Lest that precious folk be with me wroth. Chaucer. Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver. Precious stones, gems; jewels. Pre"cious (), a.Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Prcieuse, Preciosity. Lest that precious folk be with me wroth. Chaucer. Elaborate embroidery of precious language. Saintsbury. スポンサード リンク
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