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   gem

   /dʒɛm/

   noun

   • 1. a precious or semi-precious stone, especially when cut and polished or engraved: "a pagoda embellished with precious gems" Similar jewelprecious stonesemi-precious stonestonesolitairebrilliantbaguettecabochonarchaic:bijou
   • ▪ used in names of some brilliantly coloured hummingbirds, e.g. mountain gem.
   • 2. an outstanding person or thing: "this architectural gem of a palace" Similar bestfinestprideprizetreasureglorywonderflowerpearljewelthe jewel in the crownmasterpiecechef-d'œuvreleading lightpickchoiceparagonprimecreamthe crème de la crèmeeliteelectoutstanding exampleshining exampleperfect example of its kindmodelepitomearchetypeidealexemplarnonpareilparadigmembodimentpersonificationquintessencestandardprototypeapotheosisacmeinformal:one in a millionthe bee's kneessomething elsethe topsOpposite dregs

   verb

   • 1. decorate with or as with gems: literary "tiny drops of sweat gemmed his forehead"

   Word Origin Old Englishgim, from Latin gemma ‘bud, jewel’; influenced in Middle English by Old French gemme.

   Derivatives

   • 1. gemlike adjective
   • 2. gemmy adjective

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • G

     2

   • E

     1

   • M

     3

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