n. 1. a. A precious stone; a gem. b. A small natural or artificial gem used as a bearing in a watch. 2. A costly ornament of precious metal or gems. 3. One that is treasured or esteemed. tr.v. jew·eled, jew·el·ing, jew·els or jew·elled or jew·el·ling 1. To adorn with jewels. 2. To fit with jewels. [Middle English juel, from Anglo-Norman, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *iocāle, from neuter of *iocālis, of play, from Latin iocus, joke; see yek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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