Very few indeed. Dickens has “precious large,” 1837. (N.E.D.)
1839. While on the Continent I have received precious few letters.—Asa Gray, ‘Letters’ (1893), i. 268. (N.E.D.)
1850. Precious few members of Congress need all these valuable documents.—Mr. Root of Ohio, House of Repr., April 25: Cong. Globe, p. 821.
1910. The Republicans are now getting a dose of their own medicine, and deserve precious little compassion.—N.Y. Evening Post, Oct. 17.
