Gem
Pronunciation
Origin
From Old French gemme, from Latin gemma. Replaced Old English Ä¡imm, of same origin.
Full definition of gem
Noun
gem
(plural gems)- A precious stone, usually of substantial monetary value or prized for its beauty or shine.
- 2012-03, Lee A. Groat, Gemstones, Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.
- (figuratively) any precious or highly valued thing or personShe's an absolute gem.
- Anything of small size, or expressed within brief limits, which is regarded as a gem on account of its beauty or value, such as a small picture, a verse of poetry, or an epigram.a gem of wit
- (obsolete) a gemma or leaf-bud
- DenhamFrom the joints of thy prolific stem
A swelling knot is raised called a gem. - a type of geometrid moth, Orthonama obstipata
- (computing) A package containing programs or libraries for the Ruby programming language.
Verb
- (transitive) To adorn with, or as if with, gems.
- 1827, Various, The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, Vol. 10, Chapter , A few bright and beautiful stars gemmed the wide concave of heaven; the air was soft and balmy, scarcely agitating the leaves of the forest trees; the fragrance-weeping limes gave out their richest scent, and the gentle gush of fountains, and the tricklings of the mountain springs, came in music on the ear; and had the traveller been more at ease, the calm and tranquil scene must have diffused its soothing influence over his heart ...
. - 1872, J. Fenimore Cooper, The Bravo Chapter , Above was the firmament, gemmed with worlds, and sublime in immensity.
- 1920, John Freeman, Poems New and Old Chapter , The rain Shook from fruit bushes in new showers again As I brushed past, and gemmed the window pane.