n. & v.
n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a soft stiffish semi-transparent preparation of boiled sugar and fruit-juice or milk etc., often cooled in a mould and eaten as a dessert. b a similar preparation of fruit-juice etc. for use as a jam or a condiment (redcurrant jelly). c a similar preparation derived from meat, bones, etc., and gelatin (marrowbone jelly). 2 any substance of a similar consistency. 3 Brit. sl. gelignite (cf. GELLY).
v. (-ies, -ied) 1 intr. & tr. set or cause to set as a jelly, congeal. 2 tr. set (food) in a jelly (jellied eels). jelly baby Brit. a jelly-like sweet in the stylized shape of a baby. jelly bag a bag for straining juice for jelly. jelly bean a jelly-like sweet in the shape of a bean. jelly-like adj.
[ ME f. OF gelee frost, jelly, f. Rmc gelata f. L gelare freeze f. gelu frost ]