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precious

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precious

Main Entry:: ¹pre·cious
Pronunciation:: \ˈpre-shəs\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French precios, from Latin pretiosus, from pretium price — more at price
Date:: 13th century

1 : of great value or high price <precious jewels> 2 : highly esteemed or cherished <a precious friend> 3 : excessively refined : affected <precious manners> 4 : great , thoroughgoing <a precious scoundrel>

— pre·cious·ness noun

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