Literary notes about Precious (AI summary)
The word “precious” is often deployed to amplify the value, rarity, or emotional significance of both tangible objects and intangible moments. In some works, it marks items of exceptional worth—a rare manuscript is deemed “precious” not only for its scarcity but also for its scholarly value ([1]), while jewels and ornamental objects gleam with the aura of the term ([2], [3]). In other texts, “precious” encapsulates fleeting time or beloved memories, imbuing moments with an irreplaceable quality, as when a character reflects on lost, invaluable time ([4], [5]). At times, the word carries ironic undertones, subtly critiquing human priorities or the consequences of misplaced affection ([6], [7]).
- The former of these editions is precious for the observations of Ducange; the latter for the pure and original text of Joinville.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - And jewels- two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stol'n by my daughter!
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - Jet is the lightest, the most precious, the most costly.
— from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo - And even of that precious time, day after day slipped by and I did not see him: except at church, I never saw him for a fortnight after my return.
— from Agnes Grey by Anne Brontë - The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me, I know.
— from A Christmas Carol in Prose; Being a Ghost Story of Christmas by Charles Dickens - 'What a precious muddle-headed chap you are!' said Duff, addressing Mr. Giles, with supreme contempt.
— from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens - “Then let us come at once,” I cried, “we are wasting the precious, precious time!”
— from Dracula by Bram Stoker
