preciosity

noun4

1. •
   The quality of being overly refined in an affected way (often used to describe speech or writing, but also visual art and dress).

   • [Italian renaissance painter Neroccio] had the fastidiousness, the preciosity, the love of archaisms, of your true decadent. — 1902
2. •
   An instance of preciosity; something that is overly refined in an affected way.

   • “O Father Master, is it possible! (exclaimed the Beneficiary ready to roll about the floor with laughing) is it possible that such preciosities are printed! […]” — 1772
3. •
   (no longer used) The quality of being precious (of high value or worth).

   • [The figurehead] was covered up with tow and sacking and so hidden under pretence of safety that none might discover the secret of its intrinsic preciosity. — 1902
4. •
   (no longer used) Something of high value or worth.

   • An honest Man that sits in our common Court of Justice, to decide there instead of the Sovereign according to the common Law and our Statutes, is an inestimable Preciosity for us […] — 1754