gem

[ jem ]
/ dʒɛm /

noun

verb (used with object), gemmed, gem·ming.

to adorn with or as with gems; begem.

adjective

Jewelry. noting perfection or very high quality: gem color; a gem ruby.

Origin of gem

1275–1325; Middle English gemme < Old French < Latin gemma bud, jewel; replacing Middle English yimme, Old English gim(m) < Latin

OTHER WORDS FROM gem

gem·less, adjective gem·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for gem

British Dictionary definitions for gem

gem
/ (dʒɛm) /

noun

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

verb gems, gemming or gemmed

(tr) to set or ornament with gems

Derived forms of gem

gemlike, adjective gemmy, adjective

Word Origin for gem

C14: from Old French gemme, from Latin gemma bud, precious stone