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précieux

precious, valuable

adjective preh-SYUH Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Values

Origin: Latin pretiosus (of great price)

Also means

affected, precious (in manner)

Usage Note

Précieux describes both material and abstract worth — un temps précieux means precious time, while in a social register it can mean overly refined or mannered, recalling the 17th-century précieuses, the salon women famous for their elaborate, affected speech. The feminine form is précieuse.

Examples

"Ce document est très précieux."

Natural Translation

This document is very precious.

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