Precious etymology

English

English word precious comes from Proto-Indo-European *preti-, and later Latin pretiosus (Valuable, precious, expensive, costly.)

Etymology of precious

Detailed word origin of precious

Dictionary entry Language Definition
*preti- Proto-Indo-European (ine)
pretium Latin (lat) Bribe. Pay, hire, wage, reward. Punishment. Ransom. Worth, price, value, cost.
pretiosus Latin (lat) Valuable, precious, expensive, costly.
precios Old French (842-ca. 1400) (fro)
precious Middle English (1100-1500) (enm)
precious English (en) Very; an intensifier. (pejorative) Contrived to be cute or charming.. (pejorative) Treated with too much reverence.. Of high value or worth, or seemingly regarded as such.. Regarded with love or tenderness. Someone (or something) who is loved; a darling.

Words with the same origin as precious

Descendants of *preti-

appreciate price