Preciosity

Quick meaning: Preciosity is a noun meaning (usually derogatory, countable) An instance of preciosity; something that is overly refined in an affected way.

Meaning

(usually derogatory, countable) An instance of preciosity; something that is overly refined in an affected way.

More Meanings

1. (usually derogatory, uncountable) The quality of being overly refined in an affected way (often used to describe speech or writing, but also visual art and dress).
2. (obsolete, uncountable) The quality of being precious (of high value or worth).
3. (obsolete, countable) Something of high value or worth.

Example Sentences

He was dressed very well and carefully, she thought, and wondered whether Arthur’s preciosity in the matter of clothing influenced his staff.

“O Father Master, is it possible! (exclaimed the Beneficiary ready to roll about the floor with laughing) is it possible that such preciosities are printed! […]”

It is […] a section of society where everybody talks and poses, where pedantry masquerades as knowledge, sentimentality as sentiment, and preciosity as delicacy and refinement;

He did not love the vulger herd, but he knew that his own vulgarity would be greater if he forbade it ingress, and that it was not by preciosity that he would attain to the intimate spirit of the dell.

Word Forms

• preciosities

Synonyms for preciosity

Depending on context, synonyms include affectation, fastidiousness, preciousness, value, worth, treasure.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include overpreciseness, pretentiosity, punctiliosity, nicety, pretentiousness, particularity.

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