Jewellery

Pronunciation

• UK enPR: joÍžoʹəlrÄ“ IPA: /ˈdÊ’uːəlɹi/
• alternate UK pronunciation enPR: joÍžoʹəlÉ™rÄ“ IPA: /ˈdÊ’uːələɹi/
• nonstandard enPR: joÍžoʹlÉ™rÄ“ IPA: /ˈdÊ’uːləɹi/ this pronunciation gives rise to the Cockney rhyming slang tomfoolery

Origin

From the word jewel, which was anglicized from the Old French jouel (""), and beyond that, to the Vulgar Latin word *jocale ("").

Alternative forms

• (US, Canada) jewelry

Full definition of jewellery

Noun

1. (UK, Australia, New Zealand) Collectively, personal ornamentation such as rings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets, made of precious metals and sometimes set with gemstones.
• 1905, w, w:The Case of Miss Elliott Chapter 1, “… Captain Markam had been found lying half-insensible, gagged and bound, on the floor of the sitting-room, his hands and feet tightly pinioned, and a woollen comforter wound closely round his mouth and neck ; whilst Mrs. Markham's jewel-case, containing valuable jewellery and the secret plans of Port Arthur, had disappeared. â€¦â€
2. She had more jewellery ornamented about her than any three ladies needed.

Synonyms

• tom (Cockney rhyming slang), tomfoolery (Cockney rhyming slang); see also

Related terms

• jewel
• jeweler, jeweller