pearl

[[t]pɜrl[/t]]

n.

1) ivt jew a smooth, rounded bead, composed chiefly of aragonite, formed around an irritating foreign body within the shells of oysters and other mollusks: valued as a gem when lustrous and finely colored

2) jew something resembling this, as various synthetic substances used in costume jewelry

3) something similar in form or luster

4) something precious or choice:

pearls of wisdom[/ex]

5) a very pale gray, often with a bluish tinge

6) jew

mother-of-pearl

7) pri a 5-point type

8) to adorn with or as if with pearls

9) to make like a pearl, as in form or color

10) to dive or search for pearls

11) to assume a pearllike form or appearance

12) of or resembling a pearl

13) jew set or adorned with or consisting of pearls or mother-of-pearl

14) having or reduced to small, round grains

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Etymology: 1300–50; ME perle < MF < It or VL *perla (> G Perle, OE pærl), for L *pernula, dim. of perna sea mussel pearl′er, n.