Main Entry: ¹jew·el

Pronunciation: \ˈjü-əl, ˈjül also ˈju̇l\

Function: 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