Nearby Words

GEMS

[gems] Origin

gems

[gems]
noun, plural gems·es [gem-siz, -ziz] .
chamois (def. 1).
Also, gem·se [gem-zuh] .


Origin:
< German; Old High German gamiza < Late Latin camoc- (stem of camox)

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Gems is always a great word to know.
So is ort. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

gem

[jem] noun, verb, gemmed, gem·ming, adjective
noun
1.
a cut and polished precious stone or pearl fine enough for use in jewelry.
2.
something likened to or prized as such a stone because of its beauty or worth: His painting was the gem of the collection.
3.
a person held in great esteem or affection.
4.
muffin (def. 1).
5.
British Printing. a 4-point type of a size between brilliant and diamond.
verb (used with object)
6.
to adorn with or as with gems; begem.
adjective
7.
Jewelry. noting perfection or very high quality: gem color; a gem ruby.

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

gem·less, adjective
gem·like, adjective


2. treasure, prize, jewel, pearl.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To GEMS
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

gem
O.E. gim, from L. gemma "precious stone, jewel," originally "bud," from the root *gen- "to produce" (see genus).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
GEMS
Global Environment Monitoring System
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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