1. things that are precious or valuable; treasured objects or qualities
Usage: formal; often used in literary contexts
2. affected or overly refined mannerisms in speech, writing, or behavior
Usage: literary criticism; often pejorative

Examples

• The museum displayed ancient preciosities from various civilizations.
• She kept her grandmother’s jewelry and other preciosities in a special box.
• The critic dismissed the novel’s stylistic preciosities as mere showing off.
• His speech was full of preciosities that made him sound pretentious.
• The antique shop specialized in small preciosities from the Victorian era.
• Writers should avoid unnecessary preciosities that distract from their message.