precious

Definitions

From Latin pretiosus = preti- (value) + -osus (full of), so precious literally means 'full of value.' It covers both material worth (precious stones) and emotional worth (precious memories). The disapproving sense ('precious manners') comes from treating trivial things as if they were treasures.

Why It Means This

Precious is one of the clearest windows into the root: it is simply 'price' turned into an adjective via Latin -osus. Notice how the two main senses split — material (precious metals, worth money) and emotional (precious child, beyond money). English uses the same word for both, just as we say something is 'priceless' whether it's a diamond or a memory.

Common Collocations

• 1.precious stones宝石
• 2.precious metals贵金属
• 3.precious time宝贵的时间
• 4.precious little少得可怜
• 5.precious memories珍贵的回忆

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She kept her grandmother's ring as a precious keepsake.

• 2.

  Clean water is a precious resource in many parts of the world.

• 3.

  Don't waste your precious time arguing over small things.

• 4.

  His precious, over-polished writing style annoyed some readers.