■ adjective
1》 having great value.
2》 greatly loved or treasured by someone.
3》 informal, chiefly ironic considerable: a ~ lot you know!
4》 derogatory affectedly concerned with elegant or refined language or manners.
■ noun a term of address to a beloved person.
Phrases
~ little (or few ) informal extremely little (or few).
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
ME: from OFr. precios , from L. pretiosus 'of great value', from pretium 'price'.