Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Precious \Pre"cious\, a. [OF. precious, precius, precios, F.
   pr['e]cieux, L. pretiosus, fr. pretium price, worth, value.
   See {Price}.]
   1. Of great price; costly; as, a precious stone. ``The
      precious bane.'' --Milton.

   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. --Hooker.

   Note: Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal.

   3. Particular; fastidious; overnice. [Obs.]

            Lest that precious folk be with me wroth. --Chaucer.

   {Precious metals}, the uncommon and highly valuable metals,
      esp. gold and silver.

   {Precious stones}, gems; jewels.