[jew.el] n, often attrib [ME juel, fr. OF, prob. dim. of jeu game, play, fr. L jocus game, joke--more at joke] (13c) 1: an ornament of precious metal often set with stones or decorated with enamel and worn as an accessory of dress
2: one that is highly esteemed
3: a precious stone: gem
4: a bearing for a pivot (as in a watch or compass) made of crystal, precious stone, or glass -- jew.el.like adj
[2]jewel vt -eled or -elled ; -el.ing or -el.ling (1601) 1: to adorn or equip with jewels
2: to give beauty to as if with jewels: embellish