Precious

Precious - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

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

1. Of great price; costly; as a precious stone.

2. Of great value or worth; very valuable.

She is more precious than rubies. Prov 3.

3. Highly valued; much esteemed.

The word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision. 1 Sam 3.

4. Worthless; in irony and contempt.

Precious metals, gold and silver, so called on account of their value.