◙ noun 1. a precious stone, typically a single crystal or piece of a hard lustrous or translucent mineral cut into shape with flat facets or smoothed and polished for use as an ornament • 宝石 [一般作 jewels] an ornament or piece of jewellery containing such a stone or stones • 宝石饰物；首饰 a hard precious stone used as a bearing in a watch, compass, or other device • （钟表、指南针等仪器用）宝石轴承，钻 a very pleasing or valued person or thing; a very fine example • 令人喜爱的人（或物）；令人尊重的人（或物）；典范，模范 »she was a jewel of a nurse. 她是一个极好的护士。
【派生】
♦ the jewel in the (或 one's) crown 1. the most valuable or successful part of something • （某物）最珍贵（或成功）的部分（或方面） »quality education was once the jewel in Britain's crown. 优良教育曾是大不列颠王国最成功的方面。
【语源】
1. Middle English: from Old French joel, from jeu 'game, play', from Latin jocus 'jest'