Preciosity: meaning, definitions and examples
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preciosity
[ prɛˈʃɒsɪti ]
refinement, delicacy
Preciosity refers to an excessive refinement or elegance of language, behavior, or art. It often implies an affected or ostentatious quality, where individuals place undue emphasis on refinement and rarity, sometimes at the cost of natural simplicity or authenticity. This term is frequently used in the context of literature or art, particularly to critique works that are overly ornate or pretentious. Preciosity can lead to a disconnection from everyday communication and can be seen as elitist.
Synonyms
elegance, ostentation, pretentiousness, refinement
Examples of usage
- The preciosity of her writing style alienated many readers.
- His preciosity in speech made conversations feel forced.
- The preciosity of the artwork was both admired and criticized.
Translations
Translations of the word "preciosity" in other languages:
🇵🇹 preciosidade
🇮🇳 कीमतीपन
🇩🇪 Preciosität
🇮🇩 preciosity
🇺🇦 дорожнеча
🇵🇱 cennostka
🇯🇵 貴重さ
🇫🇷 préciosité
🇪🇸 preciosidad
🇹🇷 değer
🇰🇷 귀중함
🇸🇦 ثمن
🇨🇿 cennost
🇸🇰 cennosť
🇨🇳 珍贵性
🇸🇮 dragocenost
🇮🇸 dýrmæt
🇰🇿 құндылық
🇬🇪 მაღალი საფასური
🇦🇿 dəyər
🇲🇽 preciosidad
Etymology
The term 'preciosity' originates from the French word 'précieux', meaning 'precious' or 'fine'. It became prominent in the English language in the late 17th century, during the time of the précieuses, a group of French women who emphasized the cultivation of taste, language, and manners in their salons. These women advocated for a form of wit and subtlety in conversation and literature, which often came off as meticulous and sometimes excessively ornate. This notion garnered both admiration and criticism; while it was celebrated for its contribution to the arts and culture, it was also seen as a departure from authenticity and substance. Consequently, 'preciosity' evolved to embody both the positive aspects of refinement and the negative associations of affectedness, often being used in critical discourse about art and literature.