cherished
UK: ˈtʃe.rɪʃt | US: ˈtʃer.ɪʃt
adj. deeply loved or valued
vt. (past tense of cherish) held something dear; treated with affection
The word cherish originates from Old French cherir (to hold dear), derived from cher (dear), which traces back to Latin carus (beloved). The suffix -ish forms verbs (e.g., publish, finish), while -ed marks the past tense. Over time, cherished evolved to describe something treasured emotionally, reflecting its Latin root’s enduring association with love and value.
She kept the cherished letters from her grandmother in a velvet box.
The old photograph was his most cherished possession.
They cherished every moment spent together.
His cherished memories of childhood guided his decisions.
The award was a cherished honor for the scientist.