Pre·cious a.
 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.   --Prov. iii. 15.
    Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid.   --Hooker.
 Note: Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal.
 3. Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Précieuse, Preciosity.
    Lest that precious folk be with me wroth.   --Chaucer.
    Elaborate embroidery of precious language.    --Saintsbury.
 Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver.
 Precious stones, gems; jewels.

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