Precious /(?)/

Pre·cious

Precious

a.
  1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone.
  2. Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections.
    She is more precious than rules.
    — Prov. iii. 15.
    Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid.
  3. Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Précieuse, Preciosity.
    Lest that precious folk be with me wroth.
    Elaborate embroidery of precious language.
    — Saintsbury.

Phrases & Compounds

Precious metals
the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver.
Precious stones
gems; jewels.