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   precious

   /ˈprɛʃəs/

   adjective

   • 1. of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly: "precious works of art" Similar valuablecostlyexpensivehigh-priceddearinvaluablepricelessbeyond priceof incalculable value/worthrarechoicefineexquisiteirreplaceableinestimable
   • ▪ greatly loved or treasured by someone: "look after my daughter—she's very precious to me" Similar valuedcherishedtreasuredprizedfavouritedeardearestbeloveddarlingadoredlovedspecialesteemedworth its weight in goldreveredveneratedhallowedOpposite worthlesscheap
   • ▪ used for emphasis, often in an ironic context: informal "you and your precious schedule—you've got to lighten up!"
   • 2. affectedly concerned with elegant or refined behaviour, language, or manners: derogatory "his exaggerated, precious manner" Similar affectedover-refinedartificialstudiedpretentiouschi-chiflowerymanneredcontrivedeffeteinformal:tweela-di-dafancy-pantsponcyrare:alembicated

   noun

   • 1. used as a term of address for a beloved person: "don't be frightened, my precious"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French precios, from Latin pretiosus ‘of great value’, from pretium ‘price’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. preciously adverb
   • 2. preciousness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • P

     3

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • C

     3

   • I

     1

   • O

     1

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

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