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mother-of-pearl Definition

mother-of-pearl (-əv pʉrl′)

noun

the hard, pearly internal layer of certain marine shells, as of the pearl oyster or abalone, which is used in the arts, in making pearl buttons, etc.

Etymology: transl. of ML mater perlarum: orig. applied to the marine animal, later to the shell

adjective

of the mother-of-pearl

mother-of-pearl Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • inlay: Inro with four compartments made of gold lacquer with ivory and mother-of-pearl inlay, with a glass toggle ball on its cord.
  • button: Pearly gear is worn by Cockneys in festive mood, costumes with distinctive patterns of mother-of-pearl buttons.
  • dial: Additional Features Include: 11 diamonds set in mother-of-pearl dial.
  • decoration: The red lacquer is lavishly covered with inlaid mother-of-pearl decoration.
  • spot: Beautifully finished in a maple color exterior, there are also mother-of-pearl spot inlays on the top surface to help with precision angle shots.
  • cloud: Very much rarer iridescence is that of nacreous or mother-of-pearl clouds.