Pearl

Definition of Pearl

Pronunciation: pẽrl
n.1.A fringe or border.
Pearl stitch
See Purl stitch, under Purl.
1.(Zool.) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves. It is usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
2.Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something very precious.
I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl.
- Shak.
And those pearls of dew she wears.
- Milton.
3.Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
4.(Zool.) A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
5.(Zool.) A light-colored tern.
6.(Zool.) One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.
7.A whitish speck or film on the eye.
8.A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether.
9.(Print.) A size of type, between agate and diamond.
Ground pearl
(Zool.) See under Ground.
Pearl barley
kernels of barley, ground so as to form small, round grains.
Pearl diver
one who dives for pearl oysters.
Pearl edge
an edge of small loops on the side of some kinds of ribbon; also, a narrow kind of thread edging to be sewed on lace.
Pearl eye
cataract.
Pearl gray
a very pale and delicate blue-gray color.
Pearl millet
Egyptian millet (Penicillaria spicata).
Pearl moss
See Carrageen.
Pearl moth
(Zool.) any moth of the genus Margaritia; - so called on account of its pearly color.
Pearl oyster
(Zool.) any one of several species of large tropical marine bivalve mollusks of the genus Meleagrina, or Margaritifera, found in the East Indies (especially at Ceylon), in the Persian Gulf, on the coast of Australia, and on the Pacific coast of America. Called also pearl shell, and pearl mussel.
Pearl powder
See Pearl white, below.
Pearl sago
sago in the form of small pearly grains.
Pearl sinter
(Min.) fiorite.
Pearl spar
(Min.) a crystallized variety of dolomite, having a pearly luster.
Pearl white
a - Basic bismuth nitrate, or bismuth subchloride; - used chiefly as a cosmetic
b - A variety of white lead blued with indigo or Berlin blue.
cultured pearl
a pearl grown by a pearl oyster into which a round pellet has been placed, to serve as the seed for more predictable growth of the pearl. The pellet is usually made from mother-of-pearl, and additional layers of nacre are deposited onto the seed by the oyster. Such pearls, being more easily obtained than natural pearls from wild oysters, are less expensive.
a.1.Of or pertaining to pearl or pearls; made of pearls, or of mother-of-pearl.
v. t.1.To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.
2.To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.
v. i.1.To resemble pearl or pearls.
2.To dive or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.

Related Words

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Peak arch
Peaked
Peaking
Peakish
Peaky
Peal
peal out
Pean
Peanism
Peanut
Peanut butter
Peanut gallery
Pear
Pear blight
Pear family
Pear gauge
Pear shell
Pear slug
Pear-shaped
Pearch
-Pearl-
Pearl barley
Pearl diver
Pearl edge
Pearl eye
Pearl gray
Pearl millet
Pearl moss
Pearl moth
Pearl oyster
Pearl powder
Pearl sago
pearl shell
Pearl sinter
Pearl spar
Pearl stitch
Pearl white
Pearl-eyed
Pearlaceous
Pearlash
pearler
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