treasure

name

1. A surname.
2. A female given name.

noun

Etymology: Inherited from Middle English tresour, from Old French tresor (“treasury”), from Latin thēsaurus (“treasure”), from Ancient Greek θησαυρός (thēsaurós, “treasure house”). Mostly displaced native Old English goldhord (See goldhoard) and Old English ġestrēon. Doublet of thesaurus.

1. A collection of valuable things; accumulated wealth; a stock of money, jewels, etc.

   “It seems there was a worm that slept upon a pile of treasure, which it had zealously heaped up under a stone bluff.”

   “"Now," resumed Silver, "here it is. You give us the chart to get the treasure by, and drop shooting poor seamen and stoving of their heads in while asleep. You do that, and we'll offer you a choice. Either you come aboard along of us, once the treasure shipped, and then I'll give you my affy-davy, upon my word of honour, to clap you somewhere safe ashore.”

2. Anything greatly valued.

   “Ye shall be peculiar treasure unto me.”

   “You have ſent me a Treaſure, and I vvould not ſhare time to tell you ſo, till I had ſomevvhat ſatisfied the thirſt I had to drink dovvn many of thoſe Excellent Sermons, vvhich I have ſo long deſired: […]”

3. Anything greatly valued.

   “"Hello, Treasure," he said without turning round. For a second she hesitated, standing in the soft light of the lamp, the deep blue of the rug making a background for her, the black fur collar of her coat framing the vivid beauty of her face.”

   “'My treasure!' cried the fond lady, 'why didn't you tell Auntie sooner?' and for reply Cyril hung his head and whispered the fatal insuperable excuse of childhood: 'I didn't like to.'”

4. Anything greatly valued.

verb

Etymology: Inherited from Middle English tresour, from Old French tresor (“treasury”), from Latin thēsaurus (“treasure”), from Ancient Greek θησαυρός (thēsaurós, “treasure house”). Mostly displaced native Old English goldhord (See goldhoard) and Old English ġestrēon. Doublet of thesaurus.

1. To consider to be precious; to value highly.

   “Oh, this ring is beautiful! I’ll treasure it forever.”

   “I LOVE it, I love it ; and who shall dare To chide me for loving that old Arm-chair ? I've treasured it long as a sainted prize ; I've bedewed it with tears, and embalmed it with sighs.”

2. To store or stow in a safe place.

   “The rose-buds, withered as they were, were still treasured under his cuirass, and nearest to his heart.”

3. To enrich.