jewellery

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English juelrye, from Old French juelerye, equivalent to jewel + -ry.

Pronunciation

  • (UK, US) enPR: jo͞oʹəlrē, jo͞olʹrē IPA(key): /ˈdʒuːəlɹi/, /ˈdʒuːlɹi/
  • (alternate UK pronunciation) enPR: jo͞oʹələrē, jo͞oʹlərē IPA(key): /ˈdʒuːələɹi/, /ˈdʒuːləɹi/ (this pronunciation gives rise to the Cockney rhyming slang tomfoolery)

Noun

jewellery (usually uncountable, plural jewelleries)

  1. (British spelling, Canadian) Collectively, personal ornamentation such as rings, necklaces, brooches and bracelets, made of precious metals and sometimes set with gemstones.
    • 1905, Baroness Emmuska Orczy, chapter 1, in The Fate of the Artemis:
      “[…] Captain Markam had been found lying half-insensible, gagged and bound, on the floor of the sitting-room, his hands and feet tightly pinioned, and a woollen comforter wound closely round his mouth and neck ; whilst Mrs. Markham's jewel-case, containing valuable jewellery and the secret plans of Port Arthur, had disappeared. […]”
    She had more jewellery ornamented about her than any three ladies needed.

Synonyms

Translations

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