Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRE'CIOUS, a. [Fr. precieux; L. pretiosus, from pretium, price. See Praise.]

1. One of great price; costly; as, a precious stone.
2. Of great value or worth; very valuable. She is more precious than rubies. – Prov. iii.
3. Highly valued; much esteemed. The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. – 1 Sam. iii.
4. Worthless; in irony and contempt. Precious metals, gold and silver, so called on account of their value.