I. ˈpre-shəs 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
II. adverb
Date: 1595
: very , extremely
has precious little to say