Jewellery
/ˈdʒuː.əl.ri/noun
Decorative personal ornaments such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Did you know?“Jewellery” ultimately comes through Old French from Latin *jocale*, meaning “a trinket” or literally “a jesting/playful thing,” showing how something now tied to wealth began as a word for play.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yek-
“to speak, say, or utter (the distant source of words for speech and play in later branches)”
Latin
Latin
jocus
“a joke, jest, or play”
Late Latin
Latin
jocale
“a trinket or small ornament; literally a playful thing”
Old French
Old French
jouel
“jewel, ornament”
Middle English
English
juel, juelerie
“a jewel; jewels collectively, ornamental objects”
Modern English
English
jewellery
“decorative personal ornaments”