pearl
Use Pearl in a sentence
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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. 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.
verb (used with object)
9.
to adorn or stud with or as with pearls.
10.
to make like pearls, as in form or color.
00:10
Pearl
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is yaff. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to bark; yelp. |
verb (used without object)
11.
to dive, fish, or search for pearls.
12.
to assume a pearllike form or appearance.
adjective
Idioms 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.
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English perle < Middle French < Italian or assumed Vulgar Latin *perla (> German Perle, Old English pærl), for Latin *pernula (> Portuguese perola, perhaps Old Saxon përula), diminutive of Latin perna sea mussel
1300–50; Middle English perle < Middle French < Italian or assumed Vulgar Latin *perla (> German Perle, Old English pærl), for Latin *pernula (> Portuguese perola, perhaps Old Saxon përula), diminutive of Latin perna sea mussel
Related forms
pearl·er, noun
pearl·ish, adjective
pearl·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To pearl
Collins
World English Dictionary
pearl1 (pɜːl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 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 gemRelated: margaric, margaritic |
| 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 |
| —adj | |
| 7. | of, made of, or set with pearl or mother-of-pearl |
| 8. | having the shape or colour of a pearl |
| —vb | |
| 9. | (tr) to set with or as if with pearls |
| 10. | to shape into or assume a pearl-like form or colour |
| 11. | (intr) to dive or search for pearls |
| Related: margaric, margaritic | |
| [C14: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin pernula (unattested), from Latin perna sea mussel] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
pearl
1258, from O.Fr. perle (13c.), M.L. perla (1244), of unknown origin. Perhaps from V.L. *pernula, dim. of L. perna in Sicily, "pearl," earlier "sea-mussel," lit. "ham," so called for the shape of the mollusk shells. Another theory connects it with the root of pear, also somehow
based on shape. The usual L. word for "pearl" was margarita. Pearl Harbor translates Hawaiian Wai Momi, lit. "pearl waters," so named for the pearl oysters found there; transf. sense of "effective sudden attack" is attested from 1942 (in ref. to Dec. 7, 1941).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| 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. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary
PEARL definition
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
["Programming Perl", Larry Wall and Randal L. Schwartz, O'Reilly & Associates, Inc. Sebastopol, CA. ISBN 0-93715-64-1].
(2000-08-16)
Easton
Bible Dictionary
Pearl definition
(Heb. gabish, Job 28:18; Gr. margarites, Matt. 7:6; 13:46; Rev. 21:21). The pearl oyster is found in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Its shell is the "mother of pearl," which is of great value for ornamental purposes (1 Tim. 2:9; Rev. 17:4). Each shell contains eight or ten pearls of various sizes.
Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Example sentences
The soft-pink headband complimented the shirt and the pearl earrings were perfect, even without the necklace.
Its traditional occupations were pearl fishing, date growing, and transit trade.
The moonlight, which seems so lucid and brilliant when you look up, is all pearl and smoke round the pond and the hills.
Stuffed rabbits wearing pearl necklaces are grouped on a table playing cards.
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