Etymology : Middle English tresor, from Old French, from Latin thesaurus; more at THESAURUS
Pronunciation : tre-zh&r, trA-
Function : noun
Date : 12th century
1. stored up wealth, hoard of riches, cache; something very valuable. put away for future use, hoard; cherish, prize, value greatly. treasure\treas"ure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. treasured ; p. pr. & vb. n. treasuring.] to collect and deposit, as money or other valuable things, for future use; to lay up; to hoard; usually with up; as, to treasure up gold.treasure \treas"ure\ , n. [oe. tresor, tresour, f. trésor, l. thesaurus, gr. a stone laid up, treasure, probably from the root of to put, place. see:
thesis, and cf. thesaurus.].
2. wealth accumulated; especially, a stock, or store of money in reserve. this treasure hath fortune unto us given.
3. a great quantity of anything collected for future use; abundance; plenty. we have treasures in the field, of wheat and of barley, and of oil and of honey. xli.
4. 3. that which is very much valued. ye shall be peculiar treasure unto me. xix.
5. from thy wardrobe bring thy chiefest treasure.treasure city, a city for stores and magazines. i. 11.treasure n.
6. accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.; "the pirates hid their treasure on a small island in the west indies" [syn: hoarded wealth].
7. art highly prized for its beauty or perfection [syn: gem].
8. any possession that is highly valued by its owner; "the children returned from the seashore with their shells and other treasures".
9. a collection of precious things; "the trunk held all her meager treasures" v 1: hold dear; "i prize these old photographs" [syn: prize, value, appreciate] 2: be fond of; be attached to [syn: care for, cherish, hold dear ].
10. Wealth accumulated; especially, a stock, or store of money in reserve.
11. A great quantity of anything collected for future use; abundance; plenty.
12. That which is very much valued.
13. To collect and deposit, as money or other valuable things, for future use; to lay up; to hoard; usually with up; as, to treasure up gold. a collection of precious things; "the trunk held all her meager treasures" any possession that is highly valued by its owner; "the children returned from the seashore with their shells and other treasures" accumulated wealth in the form of money or jewels etc.; "the pirates hid their treasure on a small island in the West Indies".
14. 1. Treasure is a collection of valuable old objects such as gold coins and jewels that has been hidden or lost. It was here, the buried treasure, she knew it was.
15. Treasures are valuable objects, especially works of art and items of historical value. The house was large and full of art treasures.
16. If you treasure something that you have, you keep it or care for it carefully because it gives you great pleasure and you think it is very special. She treasures her memories of those joyous days. = cherish Treasure is also a noun. His greatest treasure is his collection of rock records. + treasured treas·ured These books are still among my most treasured possessions.
17. If you say that someone is a treasure, you mean that they are very helpful and useful to you. Charlie? Oh, he's a treasure, loves children. = gem. to keep and care for something that is very special, important, or valuable to you.