précieux
[ prey-see-oo ; French prey-syœ ]
/ ˌpreɪ siˈʊ; French preɪˈsyœ /
adjective
(of a man) overly fastidious or refined; precious; affected.
noun, plural pré·cieux [prey-see-oo z; French prey-syœ] /ˌpreɪ siˈʊz; French preɪˈsyœ/.
an affected or excessively fastidious man, as in dress, manner, or speech.
QUIZZES
DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?
"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
Origin of précieux
1890–95; < French; literally, precious
Words nearby précieux
prytaneum, prythee, przemyśl, przewalski's horse, précieuse, précieux, précis, préval, prévenance, prévert, prévost
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020