Definitions for pearl
pɜrlpearl

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pearl(noun)

   a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel

2. bone, ivory, pearl, off-white(noun)

   a shade of white the color of bleached bones

3. drop, bead, pearl(verb)

   a shape that is spherical and small

   "he studied the shapes of low-viscosity drops"; "beads of sweat on his forehead"

4. pearl(verb)

   gather pearls, from oysters in the ocean

GCIDE(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Pearl(n.)

   (Zool.) 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 at one time compared in value with the precious stones. Since development of cultured pearls, the relative value has diminished somewhat, though the best pearls are still expensive, and natural pearls even more so. Artificial pearls may be made of various materials, including material similar to that of natural pearls; these are less expensive than natural or cultured pearls. See cultured pearl, below.

   Etymology: [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.]

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pearl(Noun)

   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.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

2. pearl(Noun)

   Something precious.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

3. pearl(Noun)

   A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing liquid for e.g. medicinal application.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

4. pearl(Noun)

   Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

5. pearl(Noun)

   A whitish speck or film on the eye.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

6. pearl(Noun)

   A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

7. pearl(Noun)

   A light-colored tern.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

8. pearl(Noun)

   One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

9. pearl(Noun)

   Five-point size of type, between agate and diamond.

   Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

10. pearl(Verb)

    To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.

    Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

11. pearl(Verb)

    To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.

    Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

12. pearl(Verb)

    To resemble pearl or pearls.

    Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

13. pearl(Verb)

    To give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.

    Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

14. pearl(Verb)

    to dig the nose of one's surfboard into the water, often on takeoff.

    Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

15. pearl(Noun)

    A fringe or border.

    Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

16. Pearl(ProperNoun)

    from the English noun pearl.

    Etymology: From perle, from perla. The surfing sense is from “pearl diving”, it being imagined the surfer is diving down for pearls.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pearl(noun)

   a fringe or border

   Etymology: [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.]

2. Pearl

   to fringe; to border

   Etymology: [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.]

3. Pearl(noun)

   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

   Etymology: [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.]

4. Pearl(noun)

   hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something very precious

   Etymology: [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.]

5. Pearl(noun)

   nacre, or mother-of-pearl

   Etymology: [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.]

6. Pearl(noun)

   a fish allied to the turbot; the brill

   Etymology: [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.]

7. Pearl(noun)

   a light-colored tern

   Etymology: [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.]

8. Pearl(noun)

   one of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler

   Etymology: [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.]

9. Pearl(noun)

   a whitish speck or film on the eye

   Etymology: [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.]

10. Pearl(noun)

    a capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether

    Etymology: [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.]

11. Pearl(noun)

    a size of type, between agate and diamond

    Etymology: [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.]

12. Pearl(adj)

    of or pertaining to pearl or pearls; made of pearls, or of mother-of-pearl

    Etymology: [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.]

13. Pearl(verb)

    to set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively

    Etymology: [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.]

14. Pearl(verb)

    to cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley

    Etymology: [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.]

15. Pearl(verb)

    to resemble pearl or pearls

    Etymology: [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.]

16. Pearl(verb)

    to give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling

    Etymology: [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.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pearl

   A pearl is a hard object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusc. Just like the shell of a clam, a pearl is made up of calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form, which has been deposited in concentric layers. The ideal pearl is perfectly round and smooth, but many other shapes of pearls occur. The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries, and because of this, the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, fine, admirable, and valuable. The most valuable pearls occur spontaneously in the wild, but they are extremely rare. These wild pearls are referred to as natural pearls. Cultured or farmed pearls from pearl oysters and freshwater mussels make up the majority of those that are currently sold. Imitation pearls are also widely sold in inexpensive jewelry, but the quality of their iridescence is usually very poor, and often, artificial pearls are easily distinguished from genuine pearls. Pearls have been harvested and cultivated primarily for use in jewelry, but in the past they were also stitched onto lavish clothing. Pearls have also been crushed and used in cosmetics, medicines, and in paint formulations.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Pearl

   pėrl, n. a well-known shining gem, found in several kinds of shellfish, but most esp. in the mother-of-pearl oyster: anything round and clear: anything very precious: a jewel: a while speck or film on the eye: (print.) a size of type immediately above diamond, equal to 5 points (about 15 lines to the inch).—adj. made of, or belonging to, pearls.—v.t. to set or adorn with pearls: to make into small round grains.—v.i. to take a rounded form: to become like pearls.—adj. Pearlā′ceous, resembling pearls or mother-of-pearl: spotted with white.—ns. Pearl′-ash, a purer carbonate of potash, obtained by calcining potashes, so called from its pearly-white colour; Pearl′-bar′ley, barley after the skin has been ground off (prob. for 'pilled barley,' Fr. orge perlé); Pearl′-butt′on, a button made of mother-of-pearl; Pearl′-div′er, one who dives for pearls.—adj. Pearled, set with pearls: like pearls: having a border trimmed with narrow lace.—ns. Pearl′-edge, a thread edging, a border on some ribbons formed by projecting loops of the threads; Pearl′-eye, cataract.—adj. Pearl′-eyed, having a white speck on the eye.—ns. Pearl′-fish′er, one who fishes for pearls; Pearl′-fish′ery, the occupation of fishing for pearls, or the place where it is carried on; Pearl′-fish′ing; Pearl′-gray, a pale gray colour.—adj. of a pale gray colour, like the pearl.—ns. Pearl′iness, state of being pearly; Pearl′-nau′tilus, the pearly nautilus; Pearl′-oys′ter, the oyster which produces pearls; Pearl′-pow′der, a cosmetic for improving the appearance of the skin; Pearl′-white, a material made from fish-scales, used in making artificial pearls: a kind of cosmetic.—adj. Pearl′y, like a pearl, nacreous: yielding pearls: dotted with pearls: clear, transparent: having a pure sweet tone. [Fr. perle, acc. to Diez, prob. either a corr. of L. pirula, a dim. of pirum, a pear, or of L. pilula, dim. of pila, a ball.]

The Foolish Dictionary, by Gideon Wurdz(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. PEARL

   A small round product manufactured by an oyster, bought by a lobster and worn by a butterfly.

Dictionary of Nautical Terms(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pearl

   A beautiful concretion found in the interior of the shells of many species of mollusca, resulting from the deposit of nacreous substance round some nucleus, mostly of foreign origin. The Meleagrina margaritifera, or pearl oyster of the Indian seas, yields the most numerous and finest specimens.

Suggested Resources(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. pearl

   The pearl symbol -- In this Symbols.com article you will learn about the meaning of the pearl symbol and its characteristic.

2. pearl

   Song lyrics by pearl -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by pearl on the Lyrics.com website.

Anagrams for pearl »

1. APLer, paler, parle

2. paler

3. APLer

4. parle

How to pronounce pearl?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say pearl in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of pearl in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of pearl in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of pearl in a Sentence

1. Rick Antosh:

   I just all of a sudden felt something like a tooth or a filling and it's terrifying, and then holy crap, I realized it's not a tooth, it's a pearl.

2. Toni Elliott:

   The manager of the restaurant came over and said, ‘ I hear you got a pearl in your oyster. ’ I said, ‘ Well I ’m up to ten so far, ’.

3. Phyllis McGinley:

   Women are the fulfilled sex. Through our children we are able to produce our own immortality, so we lack that divine restlessness which sends men charging off in pursuit of fortune or fame or an imagined Utopia. That is why we number so few geniuses among us. The wholesome oyster wears no pearl, the healthy whale no ambergris, and as long as we can keep on adding to the race, we harbor a sort of health within ourselves.

4. Charles de LEUSSE:

   Oysters speaking doesn't give a pearl. (Les huîtres qui parlent n'ont pas de perle)

5. Vice Admiral Jerome Adams:

   This is going to be our 9/11 moment, our Pearl Harbor moment.

Images & Illustrations of pearl

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