gem
UK: dʒem | US: dʒem
n. a precious or semi-precious stone, especially when cut and polished
n. something highly prized for its beauty or perfection
n. (informal) a person held in great esteem
The word "gem" traces back to the Old French "gemme," derived from Latin "gemma," meaning "bud, jewel, precious stone." The Latin term originally referred to a bud on a plant, likely due to the resemblance of unpolished stones to plant buds. Over time, "gemma" evolved to specifically denote precious stones, a meaning retained in modern English. The word's simplicity reflects its ancient roots, bypassing complex morpheme divisions.
She wore a necklace adorned with a sparkling emerald gem.
His latest novel is a true gem of modern literature.
The museum's collection includes rare gems from the 18th century.
My grandmother is a gem—always kind and full of wisdom.
The artisan carefully polished the rough gem into a brilliant diamond.