"pedantic woman, woman aiming at refined delicacy of language and taste," a French word attested in English from 1727, from French précieuse, noun use of fem. of précieux (see precious (adj.)); especially as lampooned in Molière's comedy "Les Précieuses ridicules" (1659).
precept
preception
preceptor
preceptorship
precession
precieuse
precinct
preciosity
precious
precipe
precipice