précieux

American  

[prey-see-oo, prey-syœ] / ˌpreɪ siˈʊ, preɪˈsyœ /

adjective

1. (of a man) overly fastidious or refined; precious; affected.

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noun

plural

précieux

1. an affected or excessively fastidious man, as in dress, manner, or speech.

Etymology

Origin of précieux

1890–95; < French; literally, precious

Example Sentences

En même temps je crois devoir ajouter, que les manuscrits les plus précieux ne sortent jamais de la Bibliothèque, dans aucun cas, de même que les codes dont s'occupent les savants du pays.'

From Remarks on the practice and policy of lending Bodleian printed books and manuscripts by Chandler, Henry W.

She had transported the aristocratic spirit, and the genre précieux, good breeding and good taste, even into cookery. 

From The Essays of "George Eliot" Complete by Sheppard, Nathan

Two years later, when the Congress met again at Zurich, M. Fontaine recalled the memory of Sir Charles and the "conseils précieux" which other workers drew from him in their interviews.

From The Life of the Rt. Hon. Sir Charles W. Dilke, Volume 2 by Gwynn, Stephen Lucius

C'était, pour acquérir un droit si précieux; Que combattait partout mon bras ambitieux; Et dans Pharsale même il a tiré l'épée Plus pour le conserver que pour vaincre Pompée.

From A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 10 (of 10) From "The Works of Voltaire - A Contemporary Version" by Fran?ois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)

La rareté, le précieux du diamant nous en paraissent des qualités essentielles.

From Essays in Radical Empiricism by James, William