— preciously , adv. — preciousness , n.
/presh"euhs/ , adj.
1. of high price or great value; very valuable or costly: precious metals.
2. highly esteemed for some spiritual, nonmaterial, or moral quality: precious memories.
3. dear; beloved: a precious child.
4. affectedly or excessively delicate, refined, or nice: precious manners.
5. flagrant; gross: a precious fool.
n.
6. a dearly beloved person; darling.
adv.
7. extremely; very: She wastes precious little time.
[ 1250-1300; ME preciose ( precios ) pretiosus costly, valuable, equiv. to preti ( um ) PRICE, value + -osus -OUS ]
Syn. 1. See valuable. 3. darling, cherished.