treasure
/ˈtrɛʒə
/noun [mass noun]
1A quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects: the ransom was to be paid in diamonds and treasure...
- He drew it back, cradling it like precious treasure.
- Russia, having annexed the Crimea, had embarked on a titanic struggle with the Ottoman Empire which was absorbing stupendous quantities of manpower and treasure.
- He had always sort of imagined love, a fact he guarded more carefully than the most precious of his treasure.
Synonyms
riches, valuables, jewels, gems, gold, silver, precious metals, money, cash;
wealth, fortune;
British treasure trove
1.1 [count noun] A very valuable object: she set out to look at the art treasures...
- Ancient manuscripts depicting the history of Armenia are housed in the national library, Madenataran, and are valued national and historical treasures.
- Sometimes, this involved the omission of some real treasures.
- If you don't drink the occasional bottle of Californian wine, then you're missing out on some real treasures.
Synonyms
valuable object, valuable, work of art, objet of virtu, masterpiece
1.2 [count noun] informal A much loved or highly valued person: the housekeeper is a real treasure—I don’t know what he would do without her...
- He's a national treasure and I just love the guy.
- Congratulations Maureen; you're one of Kilmead's real treasures.
- Oliver's been a real treasure and has loosely formed a routine for both day and night.
Synonyms
paragon, gem, angel, nonpareil;
find, prize
informal star, one of a kind, one in a million, something else, the tops
darling, angel, apple of one's eye, pride and joy
verb [with object]
1Keep carefully (a valuable or valued item): my mother gave me the ring and I’ll treasure it always...
- Passes will have to go to hand, ball will not have to be turned over and the side will need to treasure the ball more carefully than they are at present.
- I will be getting the shirt framed and will treasure it always.
- He remembered always treasuring it, and never wearing it, afraid it would be damaged.
Synonyms
cherish, hold dear, place great value on, prize, set great store by, value greatly, esteem;
adore, dote on, love dearly, be devoted to, idolize, worship, think very highly of, appreciate greatly;
preserve, keep safe
1.1Value highly: the island is treasured by walkers and conservationists (as adjective treasured) his library was his most treasured possession...
- His employer treasured him, admired his skill greatly and paid him well.
- The years of youth are given to us only once by the Creator, to be treasured while possessed.
- Your personal relationship is to be respected and treasured as it has withstood the test of tide and time.
Origin
Middle English: from Old French tresor, based on Greek thēsauros (see thesaurus).
This came through Old French from Greek thēsauros ‘treasure, store, storehouse’, also the source of thesaurus. A treasure trove (Late Middle English) is now a collection of valuable or pleasing things that is found unexpectedly, but it originally referred to valuables of unknown ownership that were found hidden, which were the property of the Crown. The term came from Anglo-Norman French tresor trové meaning literally ‘found treasure’.