jew ‧ el /ˈdʒuːəl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: juel , from jeu 'game, play' ]
1 . a valuable stone, such as a diamond SYN gem
2 . jewels [plural] jewellery or other objects made with valuable stones and used for decoration:
She loved dressing up and wearing priceless jewels.
3 . a very small stone used in the machinery of a watch
4 . something or someone that is very valuable, attractive, or important:
He introduced her to Budapest, a jewel of a city.
5 . the jewel in the crown the best or most valuable part of something:
Puddings are the jewel in the crown of British cookery.
⇨ ↑ crown jewel
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THESAURUS
▪ jewel a valuable stone, such as a diamond:
He had a large fortune in gold and jewels.
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the crown jewels (=the crown and other valuable objects worn by the king or queen on important royal occasions)
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a jewel thief
▪ precious stone a rare and valuable jewel such as a diamond or an ↑ emerald :
The handle of the sword was decorated with precious stones.
▪ gem ( also gemstone ) a jewel that has been cut into a special shape:
The cross had large red gems set into it.
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Her eyes were shining like gemstones.
▪ semi-precious stone a valuable stone, but one that is not as rare or valuable as a diamond, ruby, emerald etc:
Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious stone that was often used by the ancient Egyptians.
▪ solitaire technical a single jewel, especially a large diamond:
a gold ring with a diamond solitaire