treasure

Etymology

From Middle English tresour, from Old French tresor (“treasury”), from Latin thēsaurus (“treasure”), from Ancient Greek θησαυρός (thēsaurós, “treasure house”). Displaced native Old English goldhord. Doublet of thesaurus.

noun

1. (uncountable) A collection of valuable things; accumulated wealth; a stock of money, jewels, etc.
   "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. 1883, Robert Louis Stevenson, chapter 20, in Treasure Island
2. (countable) Anything greatly valued.
   I found the whole to answer your Account of it, a Heap of Jewels, unstrung and unpolisht; yet so dazling in their Disorder, that I soon perceiv'd I had seiz'd a Treasure. 1681, Nahum Tate, The History of King Lear
   She's my Filipino baby she's my treasure and my pet Her teeth are bright and pearly and her hair is black as jet 1946, Ernest Tubb, Filipino Baby
3. (countable) A term of endearment.
   "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. 1922, Francis Rufus Bellamy, A Flash of Gold

verb

1. (transitive, of a person or thing) 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. 1838, Eliza Cook, “The Old Armchair”, in Melania and other Poems
2. (transitive) 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. 1825, Walter Scott, The Talisman
3. (transitive, obsolete) To enrich.