gem

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun art highly prized for its beauty or perfection
  2. noun a crystalline rock that can be cut and polished for jewelry
  3. noun a person who is as brilliant and precious as a piece of jewelry

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English gemme, gimme, yimme, ȝimme, from Old English ġimm, from Proto-West Germanic *gimmu (“gem”) and Old French gemme (“gem”), both from Latin gemma (“a swelling bud; jewel, gem”). Doublet of gemma and Gemma.

In classic literature

Synonyms

treasure

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