Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GEM, n. [L. gemma; It. id; Sp. yema; Port. gomo; Ir. geam; G. keim; D. kiem. The sense is probably a shoot. See Class Gm, No. 5, Ar.]

1. A bud. In botany, the bud or compendium of a plant, covered with scales to protect the rudiments from the cold of winter and other injuries; called the hybernacle or winter quarters of a plant. Encyc.
2. A precious stone of any kind, as the ruby, topaz, emerald, &c.