précieuse

[ prey-see-ooz; French prey-syœz ]

noun

, plural pré·cieus·es [prey-see-, ooz, -iz, p, r, ey-, syœz].

1. one of the 17th-century literary women of France who affected an extreme care in the use of language.
2. an affected or pretentious woman, especially one marked by preciosity in manner or speech.

adjective

1. (of a woman) marked by affectation or preciosity.

Word History and Origins

Origin of précieuse¹

1720–30; < French; feminine of précieux ( def ); -euse

Example Sentences

“Aborting is like being different. It’s like you’re not a saint anymore,” said Précieuse, 24, a student who received an abortion from a doctor who also required her to get a contraceptive implant.

From New York Times

Une autre Esther dans la faveur, Une seconde Judith dans la Retraite & l’Oraison: La Mere des Pauvres, L’Asyle toujours sûr des malheureux, Une vie si illustre A été terminée par un mort sainte Et precieuse devant Dieu.

From Project Gutenberg

Falloux was not ashamed to say to me: "au moins, c'est un honnete homme—chose precieuse aujourd'hui."

From Project Gutenberg

“You prefer, then, rather a priggish American précieuse?”

From Project Gutenberg

Some of these, which were displaced, she carefully arranged, while uttering, in a gentle murmur, which the profound stillness of all around alone enabled Ellis to catch, 'Repose toi bien, mon ange! mon enfant! le repos qui me fuit, le bonheur que j'ai perdu, la tranquilit� precieuse de l'ame qui m'abandonne—que tout cela soit � toi, mon ange! mon enfant!

From Project Gutenberg