I. ˈjü-əl, ˈjül also ˈju̇l noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English juel, from Anglo-French, diminutive of ju, jeu game, play, from Latin jocus game, joke — more at joke
Date: 13th century
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
regarded the library as the jewel of the campus
3. : a precious stone : gem
4. : a bearing for a pivot (as in a watch) made of crystal, glass, or a gem
• jew·el·like -ˌlīk adjective
II. transitive verb
( -eled or -elled ; -el·ing or -el·ling )
Date: 1601
1. : to adorn or equip with jewels
2. : to give beauty to as if with jewels : embellish