gem
[jem]
- a cut and polished precious stone or pearl fine enough for use in jewelry.
- something likened to or prized as such a stone because of its beauty or worth: His painting was the gem of the collection.
- a person held in great esteem or affection.
- muffin(def 1).
- British Printing. a 4-point type of a size between brilliant and diamond.
Show More
- to adorn with or as with gems; begem.
Show More
- Jewelry. noting perfection or very high quality: gem color; a gem ruby.
Show More
Origin of gem
1275–1325; Middle English gemme < Old French < Latin gemma bud, jewel; replacing Middle English yimme, Old English gim(m) < Latin
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
stonejewelryjewelornamentmasterpiecehardwaretrumpglasspickparagonnonpareilpearlrockbaubleprizesparklerExamples from the Web for gem
Contemporary Examples
Baby cigarette “No worry of cancer with this cigarette costume,” the description for this gem reads.
Take for instance this gem of a story written about the horrific Baltimore fire of 1904.
Yet another example is Belle Isle, a gorgeous 982-acre gem floating in the Detroit River.
Check out this angry-faced selfie with Geoff Cameron, a true World Cup gem.
The ice cream remains reason enough to detour off I-84 for a visit to this mid-20th century gem.
Historical Examples
My young travelling companion is enthusiastic about this gem of Germany.
Vivian GreyEarl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli
Since such gift the gem gleamed bright on the breast of the queen.
BeowulfAnonymous
This production is a gem, and always attracts the wonder and amazement of foreigners.
Roman Catholicism in SpainAnonymous
Holding toward the lamp a glass, clear as crystal, with luster like a gem.
The StrollersFrederic S. Isham
By the way, your editorial explanation of Astounding Stories was a gem.
gem
- a precious or semiprecious stone used in jewellery as a decoration; jewel
- a person or thing held to be a perfect example; treasure
- a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 4 point
- NZ a type of small sweet cake
Show More
- (tr) to set or ornament with gems
Show More
Word Origin
C14: from Old French gemme, from Latin gemma bud, precious stone
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for gem
n.
Old English gimm "precious stone, gem, jewel," also "eye," from Latin gemma "precious stone, jewel," originally "bud," perhaps from the root *gen- "to produce," or from PIE *gembh- "tooth, nail." Of persons, from late 13c. Forms in -i-, -y- were lost early 14c., and the modern form of the word probably representing a Middle English borrowing from Old French gemme (12c.). As a verb, from c.1600, "to adorn with gems;" mid-12c. as "to bud."
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper