gem

Where does the word "gem" come from? It comes from Latin gemma, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Gem’s story begins in Latin: gemma meant “bud, jewel.” A bud on a plant and a precious stone. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as gemme. Reinforced an Old English borrowing 'gim'. It reached English by 1300s as gem. 'a gem of a person' dates from the 1700s. Today, gem means a precious stone; a treasured thing.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient gemma "bud, jewel", a bud on a plant and a precious stone.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval gemme "jewel", reinforced an Old English borrowing 'gim'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s gem "jewel", 'a gem of a person' dates from the 1700s.