preciosity

Meaning

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

Synonyms

preciousness

mannerism

exaggeration

exorbitance

extravagance

fastidiousness

hyperbola

hyperbole

minuteness

nicety

overstatement

particularity

punctiliousness

squeamishness

airs

word splitting

cavil

Translations

préciosité

preciositat

Affektiertheit

Preziösität

υπερβολή

λεπτολογία

preziosismo

preziosità

ricercatezza

التّحذلق

aşırı titizlik

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˌpɹɛʃiˈɒsəti/

Etymology

Cognate with French: en

In summary

From Middle English preciosite, from Middle French preciosité, from Latin pretiōsitās (“great value; high price”).