Forms: 4 iuweler, 4–5 iueler, -e, -our, 4–7 iueller(e, 5 iouelere, iowel(l)er, iewellere, 6 iuellere, -ar, 6–9 jeweler, 6– jeweller. [a. AF. jueler = OF. juelier (1438 in Godef.), f. juel: in mod.F. joaillier.]
An artist who works in precious stones, etc.; a maker of jewels; a dealer in jewels or jewellery.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., A. 264. If þou were a gentyl Iueler.
1382. Wyclif, Jer. xxiv. 1. Jeconye, the sone of Joachym,… and the smyth, and his iueler [1388 goldsmith].
c. 1440. Lydg., Secrees, 554. I was nevir noon expert Ioweler.
1530. Palsgr., 235/1. Juellar, lapidaire.
1601. Shaks., All’s Well, V. iii. 297. The Ieweller that owes the Ring is sent for.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. ii. III. xv. (1651), 139. A most expert Jueller, and an exquisite Philosopher.
1718. Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. to C’tess Mar, 10 March. It is for jewellers to compute the value of these things.
1832. W. Irving, Alhambra, II. 114. The jeweller saw that it had an Arabic inscription, and was of the purest gold.
