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Definition of preciosity - 2 dictionary results

pre⋅ci⋅os⋅i⋅ty

  [presh-ee-os-i-tee]
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–noun, plural -ties.
fastidious or carefully affected refinement, as in language, style, or taste.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME preciousite < MF preciosite < L pretiōsitās. See precious, -ity
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pre·ci·os·i·ty   (prěsh'ē-ŏs'ĭ-tē, prěs'-)   
n.   pl. pre·ci·os·i·ties

  1. Extreme meticulousness or overrefinement, as in language, taste, or style.

  2. An instance of extreme meticulousness or overrefinement.


[Middle English preciousite, preciousness, from Old French preciosite, from Latin pretiōsitās, from pretiōsus, precious, from pretium, price; see precious.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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