Obs. Also 8 jewell. [Origin uncertain: cf. F. jouelle yoke, ‘jouelles arched, or yoaked vines; vines so vnderpropped, or fashioned that one may goe vnder the middle of them’ (Cotgr.).] app. One of the piers or supporters of a wooden bridge. (See recent explanations in quots. 1788, 1828.)
1516. in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. VII. 6. To the … bulding of new a brige of xxj jowelles adionyng the wallis of the forsaid Citie [Carlisle] standing over the river of Eden. Ibid. Ther is bulded fyve jowelles and oon landstaple…. Tymber is right skant to be gotten in any parte within xx myles of the saide Citie.
1570. Levins, Manip., 56/14. Iowels of a bridge, columnæ.
1745. N. Riding Rec., VIII. 252. The jewells or supporters of Whitby bridge are not wide enough for the ship to come through.
1788. W. H. Marshall, Yorksh., II. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Jewel, the starling of a wooden bridge.
1828. Craven Dial., Jowel, the space betwixt the piers of a bridge.
