Obs. Also s’pretious, sprecious. [See GOD sb. 14 a and PRECIOUS a. 2 b.] Shortened form of God’s precious used as an asseveration or oath.

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1610.  B. Jonson, Alch., II. i. ’Sprecious!—What do you mean? Ibid. (1614), Barth. Fair, I. v. To seeke mee?… Spretious—to seeke me!

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1632.  Brome, Crt. Beggar, II. i. Sprecious! How now! my Fob has been fubd to-day of six pieces.

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