preciseadv.adj.

Brit.

/prᵻˈsʌɪs/, U.S.

/priˈsaɪs/,

/prəˈsaɪs/

Forms: Middle English– precise, 1500s precyse, 1500s presize, 1500s presyse, 1500s prysyse, 1500s–1600s precize, 1500s–1600s presise, 1600s praecise, 1600s prescise, 1800s– purcise (nonstandard); Scottish pre-1700 pracise, pre-1700 praecise, pre-1700 praesise, pre-1700 preceis, pre-1700 preceise, pre-1700 preceiss, pre-1700 preceisse, pre-1700 precies, pre-1700 precyse, pre-1700 preeceis, pre-1700 preseis, pre-1700 preseise, pre-1700 1700s– precise, 1800s preceese, 1800s– preceeze, 1900s– perceeze.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Apparently partly a borrowing from Latin. Partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: Latin praecīsē; French precis; Latin praecīsus.

Etymology: As adverb apparently < classical Latin praecīsē in an abbreviated manner, elliptically, without qualification, categorically, in post-classical Latin also exactly, precisely (12th cent.; < praecīsus (see below) + -ē , suffix forming adverbs); compare precisely adv. As adjective < Middle French precis (feminine precise; French précis ) fixed, clearly determined (1377), exact, well-defined (1377), precisely determined in time (1404), expressed clearly, without superfluity (1549) and its etymon classical Latin praecīsus sheer, abrupt, shortened, curtailed, in post-classical Latin also exact (frequently from c1270 in British sources), use as adjective of past participle of praecīdere precide v.; compare Catalan precís (1372), Spanish preciso (1616), Portuguese preciso (1682), Italian preciso (a1313). The adverb could instead be regarded as showing conversion from the adjective, and hence as implying earlier currency of the adjective; however, compare also precisely adv., several attestations of which are similarly found earlier than the earliest attestation of the adjective.

A. adv.

Precisely, exactly. Now rare (Scottish in later use).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb]

rightlyeOE

righteOE

evenOE

evenlya1225

redlyc1275

justicelya1375

justilya1375

justlya1375

redilya1375

trulya1375

properlya1382

precisec1392

preciselyc1392

truec1392

straitlya1395

leala1400

arightc1405

by linec1420

justlyc1425

featlya1450

rule-righta1450

to the letter?1495

exquisitely1526

evenliklya1530

very1530

absolutely1538

jump1539

just1568

accurately1581

punctually1581

jumplya1586

arights1596

just so1601

plumb1601

compassly1606

nicelya1616

squarely1626

justa1631

adequately1632

mathematicallya1638

critically1655

exquisitively1660

just1665

pointedly1667

faithfully1690

correctlya1704

jus1801

jest1815

jes1851

neat1875

cleanly1883

on the nose1883

smack-dab1892

spot on1920

forensically1974

c1392 Equatorie of Planetis 26 (MED) Knokke thi centre defferent innere or owtre til it stonde precise vp on the closere of the signes.

a1500 (?1397) G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Digby 72) (1872) ii. Suppl. §45. 55 The ȝere of ovre lord 1400, I-wryton precise, my rote.

1567 T. Drant tr. Horace Pistles in tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie sig. Fvij Sum follow so precyse A learned man, that oftentymes They imitate his vyce.

1592 S. Daniel Complaynt of Rosamond in Delia sig. K.3 Thus stood I ballanc'd equallie precize, Till my fraile flesh did weigh me downe to sinne.

1613 in J. R. N. Macphail Denmylne MSS in Highland Papers (1920) III. 130 He standis preceis vpoun the articleis of his compt.

1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 23 He lichts, preceese at aucht o'clock, On Crail's auld steeple's weather cock.

1887 W. M. Philip Covedale ii She measured oot a'thing sae preceese doon to the puckle o' sugar and drappie milk.

B. adj.

a. Characterized by definiteness or exactness of expression; strictly or exactly defined; (of a person) definite and exact in statement.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > definite or determinate

firm1377

determinatec1386

certain1393

determinablec1400

precisec1443

finite1493

well-defined1551

definite1553

determined1570

set1594

perfixed1601

formed1605

punctual1615

well-marked1620

definitive1624

determinated1635

determinativea1676

clear-cut1843

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > of statement: agreeing with reality

soothlyc888

soothfastc950

truea1250

very1303

strait1340

honesta1400

soothfulc1400

precisec1443

veritable1474

just1490

perfect1523

faithful1529

sincere1555

unmangled1557

truthful?1567

neat1571

oraculous1612

punctual1620

oracular1631

unvamped1639

strict1645

unembroidered1649

ungarbled1721

unexaggerated1770

veracious1777

unfictitious1835

unexaggeratinga1854

uncooked1860

c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 461 (MED) We schulen ȝeue wel nyȝe ful credence to þe precise literal pretencioun of holi writt.

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. YYYviii There shalbe streyt examinacion made, and precise accountes requyred for this matter.

1550 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. iii. 162 [He] hath..vntill twysdaye next, to make a precyse Aunswer.

?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 28 I must needes confesse, these reasons of theirs are sifted very depe, and very harde, and marueylous precise.

1640 F. Quarles Enchyridion xviii That Peace is too precize, that limits the justnesse of a Warre to a Sword drawne or a Blow given.

1675 C. Cotton Planters Man. 28 There is no precise instruction to be given for the cutting of great Trees, and therefore the eye and judgment of the Workman must be his rule.

1724 W. Wynne Life Sir Leoline Jenkins I. 131 We have no more at this Time, but most humbly beg of your Lordship, that we may be a little more enlightened in this Point, and have the Honour of his Majesty's precise Instructions and Orders, how to govern ourselves when that Time is lapsed.

1775 J. Harris Philos. Arrangem. xiv. 355 'Tis in a Sense less strict and precise, that we take the word Habit.

1832 G. C. Lewis Remarks Use & Abuse Polit. Terms Introd. 16 To be precise, it was necessary to be minute.

1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. xxv. 638 His instructions had been precise and imperative.

1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 187 He is very precise about dates and facts.

1927 R. B. McKerrow Introd. Bibliogr. 300 It may perhaps be well to warn the reader that ‘Caslon’ as applied to type has not an absolutely precise connotation.

1992 Time 6 Jan. 70/2 Chefs who skip yuks and patter in favor of precise instructions on how to concoct their light, low-fat, au courant recipes.

b. Of an instrument: exact, accurate.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > of tools, materials, etc.: accurate

truec1392

just?1556

precise1561

finea1566

delicate1581

nicea1628

exact1665

sensible1678

sensitive1820

precision1875

pin-sharp1933

1561 R. Eden tr. M. Cortés Arte Nauigation ii. xvii. sig. F.v I made experience with a precise Astrolabie.

1862 Times 2 June 6/1 A watch should not presume to be a more precise machine than its wearer.

1907 J. Conrad Secret Agent iv. 93 A variable and yet perfectly precise mechanism. A really intelligent detonator.

1966 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald Jrnl. 19 Sept. (caption) Walter D. Lemp shows Phil the Bulova Accutron, world's most precise wristwatch.

1992 N. Stephenson Snow Crash xlviii. 324 Sit is an exquisitely precise sensor package with fine crosshairs superimposed on the middle.

c. Of the voice or tone of voice: distinct, clear.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > clear

quickc1275

clearc1300

express?c1450

preclare?1553

light1620

precise1846

1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) i. 7 In the low precise tone of one who endeavours to awaken a sleeper.

1851 E. Bennett Rosalie Du Pont iii. 12 ‘You have divined my purpose, sir,’ replied the other, in that precise tone..which so many ministers of the Gospel, of every sect, see proper to display.

1899 Times 20 June 5/3 His clear, precise voice, which commands the silent attention of the whole Reichstag.

1920 D. H. Lawrence Women in Love vi. 79 ‘Julius and I will share one room,’ said the Russian in his discreet, precise voice.

1977 O. Manning Danger Tree i. 22 His precise enunciation did not suggest a joke but Clifford looked suspiciously at him.

1991 R. Angell Once more around Park Pref. p. xi The precise tone of voice—at once polite and venturesome, weighing and inviting.

2. Distinguished with precision from any other; identified with exactness; particular, exact. Frequently with the.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > going into detail > specially mentioned or indicated > precisely

precisec1443

specific1766

specifical1768

actual1793

c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 216 (MED) Þou ouȝtist not bi eny riȝt to aske and receive at fulle twey amendisis or twey satisfacciouns for oon and þe same precise trespace.

1597 W. Barlow Navigator's Supply sig. F4 Note vpon what houre, or part of time the Moueable Meridian falleth in the Equinoctiall: For that shalbe the precise time of rising.

1659 J. Pearson Expos. Apostles Creed v. 523 The precise day upon which he rose.

a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 63 They had taken vp an euill grounded rumor, which, being traced from one to an other, euery time with some additions, came att length to vanish without finding any præcise author.

1695 J. Locke Further Considerations conc. Raising Value of Money 5 That precise weight and fineness, by Law appropriated to the pieces of each denomination, is called the Standard.

1711 Act in London Gaz. No. 4874/1 The precise Day..on which..they shall Bag..their Hops.

1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V III. x. 221 The Protestants..insisted upon the council's copying the precise words of that instrument.

1832 C. Babbage Econ. Machinery & Manuf. i. 9 The difficulty of finding the precise angle at which the diamond cuts.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. vii. 48 The precise moment at which a traveller is passing.

1882 Times 22 Apr. 10/3 The aim of the Berlin physician has been to determine the precise character of the contagium.

1920 T. S. Eliot Sacred Wood 101 It does not find its source in any precise emotional attitude or precise intellectual criticism of the actual world.

1984 V. Brome Freud & his Disciples ii. 22 He was..still groping in the mists of so many possibilities for the precise direction which his own career should follow.

1996 Condé Nast Traveler June 109 The flowers must be plucked while still dewy, and at the precise moment of maturity for the fragrance to be preserved.

a. Strict in the observance of rule, usage, etc.; formal, correct; scrupulous, particular; (occasionally) overly formal, fastidious. Also: (of a practice or rule) strictly observed.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [adjective] > conforming > strictly

sternc1374

precise1526

severe1565

precisianc1610

strictc1660

rigorist1844

1526 R. Whitford tr. Martiloge 8 The thyrde saynt Honorate..a man of strayte dyete & precyse in silence.

1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Prayer i, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. Prayer 341 As touching the precise keeping of the seventh day after the manner of the Jews.

1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 106^v So y^e precisest virgins are to bee won when they be young.

1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. i. 13 Mention is made of certeyne presize persons, which beleeued nothing but that which they sawe.

a1625 Nebuchadnezzars Fierie Furnace (Harl. 7578 lf. 50) Such fellowes proud who seem to be precise Their fantasies are onely set to please.

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 134 The antient Pagans were precise To use no short-tail'd Beast in Sacrifice.

1732 tr. G. F. Gemelli Careri Voy. round World in Coll. Voy. & Trav. IV. iii. i. 244 Of all the tribes here mention'd, only the Brachmans and Banians are so precise about killing of all creatures; that even those that are venomous may bite them without receiving any harm from them.

1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 243 Learned without pride, Exact yet not precise.

1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest I. xiii. 241 The..rascal..was inclined to be very precise about doing his duty.

1872 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 65/2 An old bachelor, precise and obstinate.

1930 J. Dos Passos 42nd Parallel 152 She was very precise and all the proprieties were observed in her office.

1989 C. Laird Shadow of Wall xiii. 107 Misha stared at the small, earnest, precise young man, prematurely balding and bespectacled.

†b. Strict or scrupulous in religious observance. Obsolete.In 16th and 17th centuries chiefly used of Puritans (puritan n. 1a).

ΘΚΠ

society > faith > sect > Christianity > Protestantism > Puritanism > [adjective]

precise1560

Puritant1580

puritan1588

disciplinarian1591

disciplinary1591

pure1598

puritanical1598

puritanian1601

puritanic1606

kneeless1631

prick-eared1641

precisianicala1652

Catharistic1838

perfectionistic1884

hot-gospelling1891

Patarene1902

wowserish1933

1560 in Cal. State Papers Scotl. (1898) I. 510 He is zelous in religion and one off the precise protestants known to be trew and constant.

1566 Abp. M. Parker Let. 12 Apr. in Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 278 These precise folk would offer their goods and bodies to prison, rather than they would relent.

1589 ‘M. Marprelate’ Epitome (1843) 7 In assaulting the fort of our precise brethren.

1622 R. Sanderson Two Serm. Boston i. 42 The hottest, and precisest, and most scrupulous non-Conformer.

1693 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 424 He was too precise and religious.

1694 F. Atterbury Scorner Incapable of Wisdom 18 How did they deride that Grave Preacher of Righteousness [sc. Noah], and his Precise Family.

1715 Gentleman’s Libr. 305 We may be Devout and not precise; Religious and not austere; may keep up to all the Offices and Commands of Obedience impos'd, yet not be restrain'd from any Pleasures innocent.

1751 Constantia II. Introd. 13 A lady of the greatest merit, strictly virtuous, without being precise, sincerely religious, without any tincture of superstition, and perfectly well-bred, without the least affectation.

1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. iii. 180 Those..who favoured the more precise reformers, and looked coldly on the established church.

1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 312 Men are now called ‘precise’, who will not connive at sin, or allow the levity which plays, mothlike, around it.

4. Neither more nor less than; exact, perfect, complete. Opposed to approximate.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective]

rightOE

namely?c1225

lealc1330

very1338

truec1400

justc1425

exquisite1541

precise?a1560

jump1581

accuratea1599

nice1600

refined1607

punctual1608

press?1611

square1632

exact1645

unerring1665

proper1694

correct1705

pointed1724

prig1776

precisivea1805

as right as a trivet1835

spot on1936

?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. Defs. sig. B ij A Semicircle..doth conteine..the precise halfe of his circumference.

1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. iv. 15 A man that seeketh precise truth.

1753 W. Hogarth Anal. Beauty vii. 39 The precise serpentine line, or line of grace.

1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. ii. 17 The coincidence is not so precise as some others.

a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1860) II. xxiv. 14 A definition..should be Precise, that is, contain nothing unessential, nothing superfluous.

1892 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. (new ed.) I. 2 The precise adaptation of the key to every ward of the lock.

1958 Life 19 May 58/1 (advt.) It is the one dictionary that helps young people build up the word power they need—with definitions so precise and accurate that correct understanding of every word is assured.

1996 A. Walker & P. Shipman Wisdom of Bones x. 176 The fit between the two bones at each joint is so precise that little is possible except fore-and-aft movements.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	precise
释义	precisev. Brit. /prᵻˈsʌɪs/, U.S. /priˈsaɪs/, /prəˈsaɪs/ Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French préciser. Etymology: < French préciser to make precise, to determine exactly (c1350 in Middle French in an isolated attestation; subsequently from 1788) < précis precise adj. transitive. To make precise or definite; to define precisely or exactly; to particularize. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > make specific [verb (transitive)] > specify or state precisely notea1325 specifyc1340 definec1374 assign1377 expressc1400 stevenc1425 condescend1510 particulate1579 particularize1593 particular1605 specialize1616 specificate1649 individualize1655 designate1677 determinate1681 precise1793 precisionize1847 1793 W. Carmichael & W. Short Let. 5 May in T. Jefferson Papers (1992) XXV. 654 M. de Gardoqui had declined absolutely precising the origin of their claim to the exclusive navigation of the Mississipi. 1866 T. N. Harper Peace through Truth 1st Ser. 252 Direct asseverations..which precise the meaning of terms, which might otherwise be ambiguous. 1872 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 139/1 Ask him, General, to precise his accusation against me. 1930 A. Hrdlička in E. V. Cowdry Human Biol. & Racial Welfare ii. vii. 160 There are, between the more distinct races at least, apparently substantial differences in the higher psychical processes, but they have not yet been precised. 1965 J. Redwood-Anderson in ‘J. Jerome’ Montague Summers i. 8 There was at that time at Trinity a certain Tutor, whom I will not further precise than by calling him the Reverend Mr X. Derivatives † precising n. Obsolete rare. ΚΠ 1887 J. C. Morison Service of Man ix. 313 Its solution would seem to require a little more precising of what is meant by happiness, than is customary in ethical discussions. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). preciseadv.adj. Brit. /prᵻˈsʌɪs/, U.S. /priˈsaɪs/, /prəˈsaɪs/ Forms: Middle English– precise, 1500s precyse, 1500s presize, 1500s presyse, 1500s prysyse, 1500s–1600s precize, 1500s–1600s presise, 1600s praecise, 1600s prescise, 1800s– purcise (nonstandard); Scottish pre-1700 pracise, pre-1700 praecise, pre-1700 praesise, pre-1700 preceis, pre-1700 preceise, pre-1700 preceiss, pre-1700 preceisse, pre-1700 precies, pre-1700 precyse, pre-1700 preeceis, pre-1700 preseis, pre-1700 preseise, pre-1700 1700s– precise, 1800s preceese, 1800s– preceeze, 1900s– perceeze. Origin: Of multiple origins. Apparently partly a borrowing from Latin. Partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: Latin praecīsē; French precis; Latin praecīsus. Etymology: As adverb apparently < classical Latin praecīsē in an abbreviated manner, elliptically, without qualification, categorically, in post-classical Latin also exactly, precisely (12th cent.; < praecīsus (see below) + -ē , suffix forming adverbs); compare precisely adv. As adjective < Middle French precis (feminine precise; French précis ) fixed, clearly determined (1377), exact, well-defined (1377), precisely determined in time (1404), expressed clearly, without superfluity (1549) and its etymon classical Latin praecīsus sheer, abrupt, shortened, curtailed, in post-classical Latin also exact (frequently from c1270 in British sources), use as adjective of past participle of praecīdere precide v.; compare Catalan precís (1372), Spanish preciso (1616), Portuguese preciso (1682), Italian preciso (a1313). The adverb could instead be regarded as showing conversion from the adjective, and hence as implying earlier currency of the adjective; however, compare also precisely adv., several attestations of which are similarly found earlier than the earliest attestation of the adjective. A. adv. Precisely, exactly. Now rare (Scottish in later use). ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb] rightlyeOE righteOE evenOE evenlya1225 redlyc1275 justicelya1375 justilya1375 justlya1375 redilya1375 trulya1375 properlya1382 precisec1392 preciselyc1392 truec1392 straitlya1395 leala1400 arightc1405 by linec1420 justlyc1425 featlya1450 rule-righta1450 to the letter?1495 exquisitely1526 evenliklya1530 very1530 absolutely1538 jump1539 just1568 accurately1581 punctually1581 jumplya1586 arights1596 just so1601 plumb1601 compassly1606 nicelya1616 squarely1626 justa1631 adequately1632 mathematicallya1638 critically1655 exquisitively1660 just1665 pointedly1667 faithfully1690 correctlya1704 jus1801 jest1815 jes1851 neat1875 cleanly1883 on the nose1883 smack-dab1892 spot on1920 forensically1974 c1392 Equatorie of Planetis 26 (MED) Knokke thi centre defferent innere or owtre til it stonde precise vp on the closere of the signes. a1500 (?1397) G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Digby 72) (1872) ii. Suppl. §45. 55 The ȝere of ovre lord 1400, I-wryton precise, my rote. 1567 T. Drant tr. Horace Pistles in tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie sig. Fvij Sum follow so precyse A learned man, that oftentymes They imitate his vyce. 1592 S. Daniel Complaynt of Rosamond in Delia sig. K.3 Thus stood I ballanc'd equallie precize, Till my fraile flesh did weigh me downe to sinne. 1613 in J. R. N. Macphail Denmylne MSS in Highland Papers (1920) III. 130 He standis preceis vpoun the articleis of his compt. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 23 He lichts, preceese at aucht o'clock, On Crail's auld steeple's weather cock. 1887 W. M. Philip Covedale ii She measured oot a'thing sae preceese doon to the puckle o' sugar and drappie milk. B. adj. 1. a. Characterized by definiteness or exactness of expression; strictly or exactly defined; (of a person) definite and exact in statement. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > definite or determinate firm1377 determinatec1386 certain1393 determinablec1400 precisec1443 finite1493 well-defined1551 definite1553 determined1570 set1594 perfixed1601 formed1605 punctual1615 well-marked1620 definitive1624 determinated1635 determinativea1676 clear-cut1843 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > of statement: agreeing with reality soothlyc888 soothfastc950 truea1250 very1303 strait1340 honesta1400 soothfulc1400 precisec1443 veritable1474 just1490 perfect1523 faithful1529 sincere1555 unmangled1557 truthful?1567 neat1571 oraculous1612 punctual1620 oracular1631 unvamped1639 strict1645 unembroidered1649 ungarbled1721 unexaggerated1770 veracious1777 unfictitious1835 unexaggeratinga1854 uncooked1860 c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 461 (MED) We schulen ȝeue wel nyȝe ful credence to þe precise literal pretencioun of holi writt. 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. YYYviii There shalbe streyt examinacion made, and precise accountes requyred for this matter. 1550 in Vicary's Anat. Bodie of Man (1888) App. iii. 162 [He] hath..vntill twysdaye next, to make a precyse Aunswer. ?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 28 I must needes confesse, these reasons of theirs are sifted very depe, and very harde, and marueylous precise. 1640 F. Quarles Enchyridion xviii That Peace is too precize, that limits the justnesse of a Warre to a Sword drawne or a Blow given. 1675 C. Cotton Planters Man. 28 There is no precise instruction to be given for the cutting of great Trees, and therefore the eye and judgment of the Workman must be his rule. 1724 W. Wynne Life Sir Leoline Jenkins I. 131 We have no more at this Time, but most humbly beg of your Lordship, that we may be a little more enlightened in this Point, and have the Honour of his Majesty's precise Instructions and Orders, how to govern ourselves when that Time is lapsed. 1775 J. Harris Philos. Arrangem. xiv. 355 'Tis in a Sense less strict and precise, that we take the word Habit. 1832 G. C. Lewis Remarks Use & Abuse Polit. Terms Introd. 16 To be precise, it was necessary to be minute. 1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. xxv. 638 His instructions had been precise and imperative. 1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) III. 187 He is very precise about dates and facts. 1927 R. B. McKerrow Introd. Bibliogr. 300 It may perhaps be well to warn the reader that ‘Caslon’ as applied to type has not an absolutely precise connotation. 1992 Time 6 Jan. 70/2 Chefs who skip yuks and patter in favor of precise instructions on how to concoct their light, low-fat, au courant recipes. b. Of an instrument: exact, accurate. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > of tools, materials, etc.: accurate truec1392 just?1556 precise1561 finea1566 delicate1581 nicea1628 exact1665 sensible1678 sensitive1820 precision1875 pin-sharp1933 1561 R. Eden tr. M. Cortés Arte Nauigation ii. xvii. sig. F.v I made experience with a precise Astrolabie. 1862 Times 2 June 6/1 A watch should not presume to be a more precise machine than its wearer. 1907 J. Conrad Secret Agent iv. 93 A variable and yet perfectly precise mechanism. A really intelligent detonator. 1966 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald Jrnl. 19 Sept. (caption) Walter D. Lemp shows Phil the Bulova Accutron, world's most precise wristwatch. 1992 N. Stephenson Snow Crash xlviii. 324 Sit is an exquisitely precise sensor package with fine crosshairs superimposed on the middle. c. Of the voice or tone of voice: distinct, clear. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > clear quickc1275 clearc1300 express?c1450 preclare?1553 light1620 precise1846 1846 C. Dickens Dombey & Son (1848) i. 7 In the low precise tone of one who endeavours to awaken a sleeper. 1851 E. Bennett Rosalie Du Pont iii. 12 ‘You have divined my purpose, sir,’ replied the other, in that precise tone..which so many ministers of the Gospel, of every sect, see proper to display. 1899 Times 20 June 5/3 His clear, precise voice, which commands the silent attention of the whole Reichstag. 1920 D. H. Lawrence Women in Love vi. 79 ‘Julius and I will share one room,’ said the Russian in his discreet, precise voice. 1977 O. Manning Danger Tree i. 22 His precise enunciation did not suggest a joke but Clifford looked suspiciously at him. 1991 R. Angell Once more around Park Pref. p. xi The precise tone of voice—at once polite and venturesome, weighing and inviting. 2. Distinguished with precision from any other; identified with exactness; particular, exact. Frequently with the. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > the quality of being specific > [adjective] > going into detail > specially mentioned or indicated > precisely precisec1443 specific1766 specifical1768 actual1793 c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 216 (MED) Þou ouȝtist not bi eny riȝt to aske and receive at fulle twey amendisis or twey satisfacciouns for oon and þe same precise trespace. 1597 W. Barlow Navigator's Supply sig. F4 Note vpon what houre, or part of time the Moueable Meridian falleth in the Equinoctiall: For that shalbe the precise time of rising. 1659 J. Pearson Expos. Apostles Creed v. 523 The precise day upon which he rose. a1665 K. Digby Jrnl. Voy. to Mediterranean (1868) 63 They had taken vp an euill grounded rumor, which, being traced from one to an other, euery time with some additions, came att length to vanish without finding any præcise author. 1695 J. Locke Further Considerations conc. Raising Value of Money 5 That precise weight and fineness, by Law appropriated to the pieces of each denomination, is called the Standard. 1711 Act in London Gaz. No. 4874/1 The precise Day..on which..they shall Bag..their Hops. 1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V III. x. 221 The Protestants..insisted upon the council's copying the precise words of that instrument. 1832 C. Babbage Econ. Machinery & Manuf. i. 9 The difficulty of finding the precise angle at which the diamond cuts. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. vii. 48 The precise moment at which a traveller is passing. 1882 Times 22 Apr. 10/3 The aim of the Berlin physician has been to determine the precise character of the contagium. 1920 T. S. Eliot Sacred Wood 101 It does not find its source in any precise emotional attitude or precise intellectual criticism of the actual world. 1984 V. Brome Freud & his Disciples ii. 22 He was..still groping in the mists of so many possibilities for the precise direction which his own career should follow. 1996 Condé Nast Traveler June 109 The flowers must be plucked while still dewy, and at the precise moment of maturity for the fragrance to be preserved. 3. a. Strict in the observance of rule, usage, etc.; formal, correct; scrupulous, particular; (occasionally) overly formal, fastidious. Also: (of a practice or rule) strictly observed. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [adjective] > conforming > strictly sternc1374 precise1526 severe1565 precisianc1610 strictc1660 rigorist1844 1526 R. Whitford tr. Martiloge 8 The thyrde saynt Honorate..a man of strayte dyete & precyse in silence. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Prayer i, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. Prayer 341 As touching the precise keeping of the seventh day after the manner of the Jews. 1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 106^v So y^e precisest virgins are to bee won when they be young. 1587 Sir P. Sidney & A. Golding tr. P. de Mornay Trewnesse Christian Relig. i. 13 Mention is made of certeyne presize persons, which beleeued nothing but that which they sawe. a1625 Nebuchadnezzars Fierie Furnace (Harl. 7578 lf. 50) Such fellowes proud who seem to be precise Their fantasies are onely set to please. a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 134 The antient Pagans were precise To use no short-tail'd Beast in Sacrifice. 1732 tr. G. F. Gemelli Careri Voy. round World in Coll. Voy. & Trav. IV. iii. i. 244 Of all the tribes here mention'd, only the Brachmans and Banians are so precise about killing of all creatures; that even those that are venomous may bite them without receiving any harm from them. 1782 W. Cowper Conversation in Poems 243 Learned without pride, Exact yet not precise. 1847 F. Marryat Children of New Forest I. xiii. 241 The..rascal..was inclined to be very precise about doing his duty. 1872 Routledge's Every Boy's Ann. 65/2 An old bachelor, precise and obstinate. 1930 J. Dos Passos 42nd Parallel 152 She was very precise and all the proprieties were observed in her office. 1989 C. Laird Shadow of Wall xiii. 107 Misha stared at the small, earnest, precise young man, prematurely balding and bespectacled. †b. Strict or scrupulous in religious observance. Obsolete.In 16th and 17th centuries chiefly used of Puritans (puritan n. 1a). ΘΚΠ society > faith > sect > Christianity > Protestantism > Puritanism > [adjective] precise1560 Puritant1580 puritan1588 disciplinarian1591 disciplinary1591 pure1598 puritanical1598 puritanian1601 puritanic1606 kneeless1631 prick-eared1641 precisianicala1652 Catharistic1838 perfectionistic1884 hot-gospelling1891 Patarene1902 wowserish1933 1560 in Cal. State Papers Scotl. (1898) I. 510 He is zelous in religion and one off the precise protestants known to be trew and constant. 1566 Abp. M. Parker Let. 12 Apr. in Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 278 These precise folk would offer their goods and bodies to prison, rather than they would relent. 1589 ‘M. Marprelate’ Epitome (1843) 7 In assaulting the fort of our precise brethren. 1622 R. Sanderson Two Serm. Boston i. 42 The hottest, and precisest, and most scrupulous non-Conformer. 1693 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 424 He was too precise and religious. 1694 F. Atterbury Scorner Incapable of Wisdom 18 How did they deride that Grave Preacher of Righteousness [sc. Noah], and his Precise Family. 1715 Gentleman’s Libr. 305 We may be Devout and not precise; Religious and not austere; may keep up to all the Offices and Commands of Obedience impos'd, yet not be restrain'd from any Pleasures innocent. 1751 Constantia II. Introd. 13 A lady of the greatest merit, strictly virtuous, without being precise, sincerely religious, without any tincture of superstition, and perfectly well-bred, without the least affectation. 1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. iii. 180 Those..who favoured the more precise reformers, and looked coldly on the established church. 1860 E. B. Pusey Minor Prophets 312 Men are now called ‘precise’, who will not connive at sin, or allow the levity which plays, mothlike, around it. 4. Neither more nor less than; exact, perfect, complete. Opposed to approximate. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] rightOE namely?c1225 lealc1330 very1338 truec1400 justc1425 exquisite1541 precise?a1560 jump1581 accuratea1599 nice1600 refined1607 punctual1608 press?1611 square1632 exact1645 unerring1665 proper1694 correct1705 pointed1724 prig1776 precisivea1805 as right as a trivet1835 spot on1936 ?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. Defs. sig. B ij A Semicircle..doth conteine..the precise halfe of his circumference. 1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan i. iv. 15 A man that seeketh precise truth. 1753 W. Hogarth Anal. Beauty vii. 39 The precise serpentine line, or line of grace. 1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ Rom. ii. 17 The coincidence is not so precise as some others. a1856 W. Hamilton Lect. Metaphysics (1860) II. xxiv. 14 A definition..should be Precise, that is, contain nothing unessential, nothing superfluous. 1892 L. Stephen Hours in Libr. (new ed.) I. 2 The precise adaptation of the key to every ward of the lock. 1958 Life 19 May 58/1 (advt.) It is the one dictionary that helps young people build up the word power they need—with definitions so precise and accurate that correct understanding of every word is assured. 1996 A. Walker & P. Shipman Wisdom of Bones x. 176 The fit between the two bones at each joint is so precise that little is possible except fore-and-aft movements. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < v.1793adv.adj.c1392
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precisev.

Derivatives

preciseadv.adj.