gems
[gems]
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Also gem·se [gem-zuh] /ˈgɛm zə/.
Origin of gems
< German; Old High German gamiza < Late Latin camoc- (stem of camox)
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.
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- to adorn with or as with gems; begem.
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- Jewelry. noting perfection or very high quality: gem color; a gem ruby.
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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 gems
Contemporary Examples
Deadspin pointed out some of the lows of his argument—and wow, are there some gems.
He signed into CLASH OF CLANS, and quickly burned through the “gems” in his stockpile.
Woman Finds Mysterious Charges on Her iTunes Bill: A Modern Whodunit!Nancy Neufeld Callaway
January 31, 2014
But the list also includes some gems we have forgotten about by now.
It was made by society jewelers Garrard, who refashioned the gems from a pendant she was given by her husband, George VI.
Gems are far scarcer, but anytime a player is running low, they can always open their wallet and buy some.
Historical Examples
While I have gathered foreign jewels, I have been ignorant of the gems in my own family.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
He was prepared to meet dazzling wonders of gems or priceless metal.
Salvage in SpaceJohn Stewart Williamson
Her camorra, too, was open, and in her girdle there were gems for all to see.
The Shame of MotleyRaphael Sabatini
His boots were of black velvet, laced with gold thread that was studded with gems.
The Life of Cesare BorgiaRaphael Sabatini
To have refused would have been to confess that I did not appreciate his "gems" as he called them.
Masterpieces of MysteryVarious
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
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- (tr) to set or ornament with gems
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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 gems
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."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper