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Definitions for: Pearl
[n] a shade of white the color of bleached bones
[n] a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
[n] a shape that is small and round; "he studied the shapes of low-viscosity drops"; "beads of sweat on his forehead"
[adj] relating to or resembling or made of or adorned with pearls or mother-of-pearl; "a pearl-handled knife"
[v] gather pearls, from oysters in the ocean
Webster (1913) Definition: Pearl, n.
A fringe or border. [Obs.] -- v. t. To fringe; to border.
[Obs.] See Purl.
Pearl stitch. See Purl stitch, under Purl.
Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula,
probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear.
See Pear, and cf. Purl to mantle.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) 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. Pearls which are round, or
nearly round, and of fine luster, are highly esteemed as
jewels, and compare in value with the precious stones.
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. (Zo["o]l.) A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
5. (Zo["o]l.) A light-colored tern.
6. (Zo["o]l.) One of the circle of tubercles which form the
bur on a deer's antler.
7. A whitish speck or film on the eye. [Obs.] --Milton.
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. [hand]
This line is printed in the type called pearl.
Ground pearl. (Zo["o]l.) 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. [R.]
Pearl gray, a very pale and delicate blue-gray color.
Pearl millet, Egyptian millet (Penicillaria spicata).
Pearl moss. See Carrageen.
Pearl moth (Zo["o]l.), any moth of the genus Margaritia;
-- so called on account of its pearly color.
Pearl oyster (Zo["o]l.), 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.
Pearl, a.
Of or pertaining to pearl or pearls; made of pearls, or of
mother-of-pearl.
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.
Pearl, v. i.
1. To resemble pearl or pearls.
2. To give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.
Synonyms: bead, bone, drop, ivory, off-white
See Also: collect, dewdrop, garner, gather, gem, jewel, precious stone, pull together, round shape, seed pearl, teardrop, white, whiteness
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