Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary

I.a bud, eye, or gem on a plant.

I. Lit.: “ineunte vere exsistit tamquam ad articulos sarmentorum ea, quae gemma dicitur,” Cic. de Sen. 15, 53: “(pampinus) trudit gemmas et frondes explicat omnes,” Verg. G. 2, 335; “jam laeto turgent in palmite gemmae,” id. E. 7, 48; Col. 4, 29, 4.—

II. Transf. (from the resemblance to buds in shape and color), a precious stone, esp. one already cut, a jewel, gem, the predom. signif. of the word (opp. lapillus, one that is opaque, v. Dig. 34, 2, 19, § 17; cf. “also: margarita, unio): nego in Sicilia tota ... ullam gemmam aut margaritam, quicquam ex auro aut ebore factum ... quin conquisierit, etc.,” Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 1, § 1: “pocula ex auro gemmis distincta clarissimis,” id. ib. 2, 4, 27, § “62: vas vinarium ex una gemma pergrandi,” id. ib.: “Cyri ornatus Persicus multo auro multisque gemmis,” id. de Sen. 17, 59: “gemmas sunt qui non habeant,” Hor. Ep. 2, 2, 180: “cum virides gemmas collo circumdedit (mulier),” Juv. 6, 458: “non gemmis venale,” Hor. C. 2, 16, 7: “vitrea,” i. e. a false gem, Plin. 35, 6, 30, § 48; “also called facticia,” id. 37, 7, 26, § 98: “nec premit articulos lucida gemma meos,” Ov. H. 15, 74: “nec sufferre queat majoris pondera gemmae,” Juv. 1, 29: usus luxuriantis aetatis signaturas pretiosis gemmis coepit insculpere, Capitol. ap. Macr. S. 7, 13, 11; Vulg. Exod. 25, 7 et saep. —

2. Transf.

a. Things made of precious stones.

(α). A drinking-vessel, goblet or cup, made of a precious stone: “nec bibit e gemma divite nostra sitis,” Prop. 3, 5 (4, 4), 4; cf.: “ut gemmā bibat,” Verg. G. 2, 506: “gemmā ministrare,” Sen. Prov. 3 fin.; cf. “also: in gemma posuere merum,” Ov. M. 8, 572.—

(β). A seal ring, signet: “protinus impressā signat sua crimina gemmā,” Ov. M. 9, 566; cf. Plin. 37, 1, 2, § 3; 37, 5, 20, § 78: arguit ipsorum quos littera gemmaque, Juv. 13, 138; 1, 68.—Hence, comically: Pl. Opsecro parentis ne meos mihi prohibeas? Cu. Quid? ego sub gemmane apstrussos habeo tuam matrem et patrem? i. e. under lock and key, Plaut. Curc. 5, 2, 8.—

b. A pearl (poet.): legitur rubris gemma sub aequoribus. Prop. 1, 14, 12: “cedet Erythraeis eruta gemma vadis,” Mart. 8, 28, 14. —

c. The eyes of the peacock's tail: “gemmis caudam stellantibus implet,” Ov. M. 1, 723; cf.: “gemmea cauda,” Phaedr. 3, 18, 8). —

B. Trop., like gem in English, ornament, beauty (post-Aug. and very rare): “multas in digitis, plures in carmine gemmas Invenies,” Mart. 5, 11, 3: “Hesperius gemma amicorum,” Sid. Ep. 4, 22.