Origin of the word
The word bejewelled was first introduced into the English language between 1550 and 1560, with some experts pinpointing its origin to 1557. The word combines the prefix, be- and the adjective jewelled, to describe an item or person that has been decorated with precious jewels, almost as if that person or object had become one with the jewels. The American spelling is bejeweled.
These days the word is synonymous with puzzle strategy game, Bejeweled, which was developed by PopCap Games in 2001. To date, the series has two sequels and three spin-off titles, making it one of the most popular and regularly played games of its kind.
Examples
“Her bejewelled hands lay sprawling in her amber satin lap.” – William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair (1848).
“You behold another phase of his passion, a fury bejewelled with stars, mayhap bearing the crescent of the moon on its brow, shaking the last vestiges of its torn cloud-mantle in inky-black squalls, with hail and sleet descending like showers of crystals and pearls, bounding off the spars, drumming on the sails, pattering on the oilskin coats, whitening the decks of homeward-bound ships.” – Joseph Conrad. The Mirror of the Sea (1906).
“Flying red lanterns, acrobatics and bejewelled costumes are present in plenty, but what stands out is the economical, imaginative set that uses the depth of the Esplanade Theatre stage.” – Akshita Nanda. Forbidden City: Portrait Of An Empress an epic feast for the senses. The Straits Times, Monday 14th August 2017.
Definition
Decorated with jewels or wearing jewels
View the full definition in the Macmillan Dictionary.
