[purl] 
| 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. Compare cultured pearl. |
| 2. | something resembling this, as various synthetic substances for use in costume jewelry. |
| 3. | something similar in form, luster, etc., as a dewdrop or a capsule of medicine. |
| 4. | something precious or choice; the finest example of anything: pearls of wisdom. |
| 5. | a very pale gray approaching white but commonly with a bluish tinge. |
| 6. | mother-of-pearl: a 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. |
| 9. | to adorn or stud with or as with pearls. |
| 10. | to make like pearls, as in form or color. |
| 11. | to dive, fish, or search for pearls. |
| 12. | to assume a pearllike form or appearance. |
| 13. | resembling a pearl in form or color. |
| 14. | of or pertaining to pearls: pearl diving. |
| 15. | set with a pearl or pearls or covered or inlaid with pearls or mother-of-pearl: a pearl necklace. |
| 16. | having or reduced to small, rounded grains. |
| 17. | 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. |
pearl (pûrl)
n.
A small sphere of thin glass containing amyl nitrite or other volatile fluid, designed to be crushed, as in a handkerchief, so that its contents can be inhaled.
Any of a number of small tough masses of mucus occurring in the sputum in asthma.
| pearl (pûrl) Pronunciation Key
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. |
cast pearls before swine
Give something of value of someone who won't appreciate it, as in The old professor felt that lecturing on Dante to unruly undergraduates would be casting pearls before swine. This term comes from the New Testament (Matthew 7:6), appearing in Tyndale's translation (1526). It was repeated often by writers from Shakespeare to Dickens and remains current.