precious

noun

Someone (or something) who is loved; a darling.

1. Of high value or worth.

   The crown had many precious gemstones.   This building work needs site access, and tell the city council that I don't care about a few lorry tyre ruts across their precious grass verge.

2. Regarded with love or tenderness.

   My precious daughter is to marry.

3. Treated with too much reverence.

   He spent hours painting the eyes of the portrait, which his fellow artists regarded as a bit precious.

4. Contrived to be cute or charming.

1. Very; an intensifier.

   There is precious little we can do.