pearl

pearl

pearl¹ [pʉrl]

n.

[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]

1. 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

2. MOTHER-OF-PEARL

3. any person or thing regarded as like a pearl in some way, as in size, shape, color, beauty, value, etc.

4. the color of some pearls, a bluish gray

vt.

1. to adorn or cover with pearls or pearl-like drops

2. to make like a pearl in shape

vi.

to fish for pearl-bearing mollusks, esp. oysters

adj.

1. of or having pearls

2. like a pearl in shape or color

3. made of mother-of-pearl [pearl buttons]

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cast pearls before swine [cf. Matt. 7:6]

to present something of great interest or value to someone incapable of appreciating it

pearler

n.

pearl² [pʉrl]

vt., vi., n.

obs. sp. of PURL²