jewel
Meaning
a precious stone, such as a diamond, ruby, or emerald
a valuable ornament for personal wear, typically made of precious metal and set with gems
a person or thing that is highly valued or admired
Usage
the crown was set with a magnificent jewel at its center.
she inherited a collection of antique jewels from her grandmother.
the new recruit has been a real jewel for the team, consistently exceeding expectations.
Etymology
the word 'jewel' has a fascinating journey from the concept of play to one of high value. it originates from the latin word 'jocale', a neuter noun meaning 'plaything', derived from 'jocus' (game, joke). this term passed into old french as 'jouel', initially referring to an ornament or trinket. through the anglo-norman influence on middle english, the word entered the language as 'juel', and its meaning elevated from a mere toy or adornment to specifically denote a precious stone or a valuable personal ornament. this semantic shift reflects how objects of delight and play can become culturally codified as symbols of wealth and status.
Analysis
the word 'jewel' is a simplex word. it is derived from the anglo-norman french 'jouel', which itself came from the old french 'jouel', 'joel', meaning 'ornament, jewel'. the ultimate origin is the latin 'jocale', meaning 'plaything', from 'jocus' ('game, joke').