pearl¹ Definition
pearl (pʉrl)
noun
- a smooth, hard, usually white or bluish-gray body of varied but usually roundish shape that is an abnormal nacreous growth within the shell of some oysters and certain other bivalve mollusks and forms around a grain of sand, a parasite, or some other foreign object: it is used as a gem
- mother-of-pearl
- any person or thing regarded as like a pearl in some way, as in size, shape, color, beauty, value, etc.
- the color of some pearls, a bluish gray
Etymology: ME perle < MFr < VL *perla, *perula, altered (? after L sphaerula, spherule) < L perna, a sea mussel, lit., a ham: from the shape of its peduncle
transitive verb
- to adorn or cover with pearls or pearl-like drops
- to make like a pearl in shape
intransitive verb
to fish for pearl-bearing mollusks, esp. oysters
adjective
- of or having pearls
- like a pearl in shape or color
- made of mother-of-pearl pearl buttons
pearl¹ Related Forms
pearl¹ Idioms
cast pearls before swine
Etymology: cf. Matt. 7:6
to present something of great interest or value to someone incapable of appreciating it
pearl² Definition
pearl (pʉrl)
transitive verb, intransitive verb, noun
Obsolete purl
Pearl¹ Definition
Pearl (pʉrl)
Pearl² Definition
Pearl (pʉrl)
Etymology: named for pearls found there
river in central Miss., flowing south into the Gulf of Mexico: 490 mi (789 km)
pearl Synonyms
pearl
modif.
pearl Synonyms
pearl
n.
A concretion in a mollusk shell
nacre, margarite, cultured pearl; see gem 1, jewel 1.A droplet
cast pearls before swine
pearl Usage Examples
Object
- freshwater: Expertly handcrafted using crystals, pearls, freshwater pearls and porcelain roses.
- bead: For the girls, we have a fantastic range of ribbons, diamantes, feathers, hearts, pearls, beads and tons more.
Converse of object
find: Here I found the little pearl which made updating my Perl modules a breeze.
Adjective modifier
- precious: What I mean to say is that each and every teaching and guidance of the Bible is a precious pearl.
- black: The Curse of the black pearl is incredibly well directed, and the settings are fantastic throughout.
- blue: Undercolour slate blue, intermediate portion pearl, tips blue.
Modifies a noun
- mussel: Freshwater pearl mussels prefer fast running, cool waters, low in calcium.
- millet: Scientists in the UK and India have used MAS to develop pearl millet that is tolerant of drought and resistant to mildew.
- necklace: A classic English faux pearl necklace dating to circa 1951.
- arowana: Wanted Arowanas 21/11/05 No I'm looking for an Australian pearl arowana and a silver arowana about 6 " .
- earring: He wore a little makeup and cute little pearl earrings.
- inlay: It has two knobs missing and one pearl inlay missing.
Modifying Another Word
loose: Our stocks of loose pearls in freshwater, cultured and south sea are one of the largest in Europe.
Noun used with modifier
- freshwater: The new SSSI status is to help protect the unique freshwater mussel, which in the past produced a freshwater pearl for the Queen.
- faux: A classic English faux pearl necklace dating to circa 1951.
Preposition: before
swine: Tho it's tough, I know I'll never cast pearls before swine or serve wine to win friends.
Used with why or when
- that: The emperor Caligula drank pearls that had been dissolved in vinegar.
- which: Pierre points out her pearls which represent her wealthy circumstances.
Preposition: of
Browse dictionary entries near pearl
- ‹ pear-shaped
- ‹ pear
- ‹ peanut oil
- ‹ peanut gallery
- ‹ peanut butter
- ‹ peanut
- ‹ pean
- ‹ Peale
- ‹ peal
- ‹ peaky
- pearl ash ›
- pearl barley ›
- pearl gray ›
- Pearl Harbor ›
- pearl millet ›
- pearlescent ›
- pearlite ›
- pearlized ›
- pearly ›
- Pearly Gates ›
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