[joo-uh
l] 
noun, verb, -eled, -el⋅ing or (especially British) -elled, -el⋅ling.| 1. | a cut and polished precious stone; gem. |
| 2. | a fashioned ornament for personal adornment, esp. of a precious metal set with gems. |
| 3. | a precious possession. |
| 4. | a person or thing that is treasured, esteemed, or indispensable. |
| 5. | a durable bearing used in fine timepieces and other delicate instruments, made of natural or synthetic precious stone or other very hard material. |
| 6. | an ornamental boss of glass, sometimes cut with facets, in stained-glass work. |
| 7. | something resembling a jewel in appearance, ornamental effect, or the like, as a star. |
| 8. | to set or adorn with jewels. |
| jew·el (jōō'əl) n.
[Middle English juel, from Anglo-Norman, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *iocāle, from neuter of *iocālis, of play, from Latin iocus, joke; see yek- in Indo-European roots.] |