pearl

¹

[purl]

noun

1. a smooth, rounded bead formed within the shells of certain mollusks and composed of the mineral aragonite or calcite in a matrix, deposited in concentric layers as a protective coating around an irritating foreign object: valued as a gem when lustrous and finely colored.

2. something resembling a bead formed in the shells of certain mollusks, such as various synthetic substances for use in costume jewelry.

   The pearls on this rosary are made of glass and protected by silver-plated double filigree caps.

3. something similar in form, luster, etc., to a bead formed in the shells of certain mollusks, such as a dewdrop or a capsule of medicine.

   She wiped the pearls of sweat from her forehead.

4. something precious or choice; the finest example of anything.

   An older couple offered us some pearls of wisdom about keeping a marriage healthy.

   The pearl of the museum's collection is one of Van Gogh's paintings, but there are many other things worth seeing.

5. a very pale gray approaching white but commonly with a bluish tinge.

   We wanted to paint the walls eggshell at first, but we ultimately decided on a cooler color and went with pearl.

6. mother-of-pearl (usually used in combination).

   His collection includes a beautiful antique pearl-handled revolver.

7. Printing.,  a 5-point type.

8. Also called epithelial pearl. Pathology.,  a rounded mass of keratin occurring in certain carcinomas of the skin.

verb (used with object)

1. to adorn or stud with or as if with pearls.

   The crown, newly pearled and gilded, shone in the candlelight.

2. to make like pearls, as in form or color.

   Opalescent discs of abalone shell caught the light and pearled it back in many colors.

verb (used without object)

1. to dive, fish, or search for mollusks that produce beads within their shells.

   While pearling near the coast, they discovered the remains of a centuries-old shipwreck.

2. to assume a pearllike form or appearance.

   A tear pearled on her lashes.

adjective

1. resembling the gemstone produced by certain mollusks in form or color.

   The dress is a lovely pearl gray.

2. of or relating to pearls.

   If you really want to splurge, book a trip to go pearl diving in French Polynesia.

   An eco-friendly pearl farming industry could decrease heavy metals in the water and bring economic benefits to this region.

3. set with a pearl or pearls, or covered or inlaid with pearls or mother-of-pearl.

   She wore a navy blue suit and a pearl necklace.

4. having or reduced to small, rounded grains.

   Pearl millet is a common crop of the region.

Pearl

²

[purl]

noun

1. a town in central Mississippi.

2. a female given name.

pearl

¹

/ pɜːl /

noun

1. a hard smooth lustrous typically rounded structure occurring on the inner surface of the shell of a clam or oyster: consists of calcium carbonate secreted in layers around an invading particle such as a sand grain; much valued as a gem

2. any artificial gem resembling this

3. See mother-of-pearl

4. a person or thing that is like a pearl, esp in beauty or value

5. a pale greyish-white colour, often with a bluish tinge

6. a size of printer's type, approximately equal to 5 point

adjective

1. of, made of, or set with pearl or mother-of-pearl

2. having the shape or colour of a pearl

verb

1. (tr) to set with or as if with pearls

2. to shape into or assume a pearl-like form or colour

3. (intr) to dive or search for pearls

pearl

²

/ pɜːl /

noun

1. a variant spelling of purl 1 purl 1 purl 1

pearl

1. A smooth, slightly iridescent, white or grayish rounded growth inside the shells of some mollusks. Pearls form as a reaction to the presence of a foreign particle, and consist of thin layers of mother-of-pearl that are deposited around the particle. The pearls of oysters are often valued as gems.

Other Word Forms

• pearler noun
• pearlish adjective
• pearllike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pearl¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English perle, from Middle French, from Italian or assumed Vulgar Latin perla (unrecorded), from Latin pernula (unrecorded), from pern(a) “sea mussel,” also “ham, thigh” (compare Old English fiersn, Greek ptérnē, Sanskrit pā́rṣṇi “heel”) + -ula, feminine of -ulus -ule ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pearl¹

C14: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin pernula (unattested), from Latin perna sea mussel

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cast pearls before swine, to offer or give something of great value to those incapable of appreciating it.

   She read them Shakespeare but it was casting pearls before swine.

2. pearls in your oysters, good luck to you (often used when parting or in thanks).

   Well, I've got to go now—pearls in your oysters.

Example Sentences

But, she offered: "I think there are some people that would listen to the music and they'd be clutching their pearls."

From BBC

Serve it with buttered orzo, maybe, or pearl couscous slicked with olive oil.

From Salon

When Democrats called to replace her after she ruled against them during the Biden years, Republicans clutched their pearls at the apparent disrespect their colleagues were showing the sacred Byrd Rule.

From Salon

News purists clutched their pearls, but the audience welcomed it.

From Los Angeles Times

"Activists disguised as humanitarians clutch their pearls and rush out press releases in support of these failed systems," said Mr Moore.

From BBC

When To Use

What does pearl mean?

A pearl is a smooth, rounded bead formed inside the shells of certain mollusks, such as clams and oysters.Pearls are known for being used in jewelry, such as pearl necklaces and pearl earrings.Pearls vary in size and color. They are most commonly an iridescent, milky white, but they can be several other colors, including gray and even black.Although pearls are not stones, the pearl is one of the birthstones for the month of June, along with moonstone and alexandrite. It is associated with the zodiac signs Gemini and Cancer.The word pearl is sometimes used figuratively to refer to something precious or to the finest example of something, such as in the phrase pearls of wisdom.Pearl can also be a girl’s name.Example: My grandmother left me her pearl necklace, and I always wear it on special occasions.