'Precious metals' definitions:

Definition of 'Precious metals'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Of great value or worth; very valuable; highly esteemed; dear; beloved; as, precious recollections. [1913 Webster]
  • She is more precious than rules. --Prov. iii. 15. [1913 Webster]
  • Many things which are most precious are neglected only because the value of them lieth hid. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: Also used ironically; as, a precious rascal. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Particular; fastidious; overnice; overrefined. Cf. Pr['e]cieuse, Preciosity. [1913 Webster]
  • Lest that precious folk be with me wroth. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
  • Elaborate embroidery of precious language. --Saintsbury. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  • Precious metals, the uncommon and highly valuable metals, esp. gold and silver.
  • Precious stones, gems; jewels. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Precious metals'