ENGLISH
REFERENCE

treasure

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford US //ˈtɹɛʒɝ// UK //tɹˈɛʒɐ// trea·sure Archaic General-service Humorous Literary

n. a collection of very valuable things like gold, silver, or jewels. It can also mean a person or thing that you love and value very much.

n. a quantity of precious metals, gems, or other highly valuable objects, often found hidden or stored away. In a figurative sense, it refers to a person or object regarded as exceptionally precious or helpful.


SIMPLE

The pirates buried their treasure on a secret island.

CONTEXTUAL

The local museum holds a vast treasure of ancient coins and jewelry found in the nearby hills.

COMPLEX

While the gold was certainly impressive, the true treasure of the archive was the collection of handwritten letters detailing the daily lives of ordinary citizens during the war.

Synonyms
Origin

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.

Usage

Uncountable when referring to wealth in a general sense; countable when referring to specific valuable items or people.

Idioms1 entry

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