pearl

¹

[ purl ]

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 ( def ).
2. something resembling a bead formed in the shells of certain mollusks, such as various synthetic substances for use in costume jewelry:

   The pearls on this rosary are made of glass and protected by silver-plated double filigree caps.

3. something similar in form, luster, etc., to a bead formed in the shells of certain mollusks, such as a dewdrop or a capsule of medicine:

   She wiped the pearls of sweat from her forehead.

4. something precious or choice; the finest example of anything:

   An older couple offered us some pearls of wisdom about keeping a marriage healthy.

   The pearl of the museum's collection is one of Van Gogh's paintings, but there are many other things worth seeing.

5. a very pale gray approaching white but commonly with a bluish tinge:

   We wanted to paint the walls eggshell at first, but we ultimately decided on a cooler color and went with pearl.

6. mother-of-pearl (usually used in combination):

   His collection includes a beautiful antique pearl-handled revolver.

7. Printing. a 5-point type.
8. Also called ep·i·the·li·al pearl [ep-, uh, -, thee, -lee-, uh, l , purl]. Pathology. a rounded mass of keratin occurring in certain carcinomas of the skin.

verb (used with object)

1. to adorn or stud with or as if with pearls:

   The crown, newly pearled and gilded, shone in the candlelight.

2. to make like pearls, as in form or color:

   Opalescent discs of abalone shell caught the light and pearled it back in many colors.

verb (used without object)

1. to dive, fish, or search for mollusks that produce beads within their shells:

   While pearling near the coast, they discovered the remains of a centuries-old shipwreck.

2. to assume a pearllike form or appearance:

   A tear pearled on her lashes.

adjective

1. resembling the gemstone produced by certain mollusks in form or color:

   The dress is a lovely pearl gray.

2. of or relating to pearls:

   If you really want to splurge, book a trip to go pearl diving in French Polynesia.

   An eco-friendly pearl farming industry could decrease heavy metals in the water and bring economic benefits to this region.

3. set with a pearl or pearls, or covered or inlaid with pearls or mother-of-pearl:

   She wore a navy blue suit and a pearl necklace.

4. having or reduced to small, rounded grains:

   Pearl millet is a common crop of the region.

Pearl

²

[ purl ]

noun

1. a town in central Mississippi.
2. a female given name.

pearl

¹

/ pɜːl /

noun

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 gem margaricmargaritic
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

adjective

1. of, made of, or set with pearl or mother-of-pearl
2. having the shape or colour of a pearl

verb

1. tr to set with or as if with pearls
2. to shape into or assume a pearl-like form or colour
3. intr to dive or search for pearls

pearl

²

/ pɜːl /

noun

1. a variant spelling of purl 1 purl 1 purl 1

pearl

/ pûrl /

1. 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.

Other Words From

• pearl·er noun
• pearl·ish adjective
• pearl·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pearl¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English perle, from Middle French, from Italian or assumed Vulgar Latin perla (unrecorded), from Latin pernula (unrecorded), from pern(a) “sea mussel,” also “ham, thigh” (compare Old English fiersn, Greek ptérnē, Sanskrit pā́rṣṇi “heel”) + -ula, feminine of -ulus -ule ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pearl¹

C14: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin pernula (unattested), from Latin perna sea mussel

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

2. pearls in your oysters, good luck to you (often used when parting or in thanks):

   Well, I've got to go now—pearls in your oysters.

Example Sentences

That influence has come directly from her grandmother, who has "always been a lover of pearls and bangles".

From BBC

At Amazon’s studios, she sits in a bouclé armchair on her podcast set, dressed like a demure interviewer: patent leather loafers, cuffed jeans, a sweater set, a string of pearls.

From Los Angeles Times

As for the jewelry, Kenneth Jay Lane custom-built two necklaces to mimic Holly’s jewels, which had to be hand-sewn by Lawson’s tailor Sarah Moore pearl by pearl to anchor it to the dress.

From Los Angeles Times

So, cry if you must, wring your hands, clutch your pearls and then get back into it.

From Salon

“He even took the pearls my mother gave me,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

More About Pearl

What does pearl mean?

A pearl is a smooth, rounded bead formed inside the shells of certain mollusks, such as clams and oysters.

Pearls are known for being used in jewelry, such as pearl necklaces and pearl earrings.

Pearls vary in size and color. They are most commonly an iridescent, milky white, but they can be several other colors, including gray and even black.

Although pearls are not stones, the pearl is one of the birthstones for the month of June, along with moonstone and alexandrite. It is associated with the zodiac signs Gemini and Cancer.

The word pearl is sometimes used figuratively to refer to something precious or to the finest example of something, such as in the phrase pearls of wisdom.

Pearl can also be a girl’s name.

Example: My grandmother left me her pearl necklace, and I always wear it on special occasions.

Where does pearl come from?

The first records of the word pearl come from the 1300s. It comes from the Middle English perle, ultimately from the Latin perna, meaning “sea mussel.”

Mollusks like clams and oysters produce pearls when an irritant—such as a grain of sand—gets inside their shell. The particle is coated with thin layers of mother-of-pearl, the hard, iridescent substance that makes up the inside of mollusk shells. Pearls are primarily composed of calcium carbonate (which is what mother-of-pearl mainly consists of).

Some pearls are cultured—meaning they are “grown” inside mollusk shells by intentionally introducing the irritant that will start the process that produces a pearl.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to pearl?

• pearllike (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with pearl? 

• mother-of-pearl
• cast pearls before swine

What are some words that often get used in discussing pearl?

• necklace
• earring
• jewelry
• precious
• freshwater
• natural
• cultured
• oyster
• clam
• mollusk
• June
• birthstone

How is pearl used in real life?

Pearls are known for their use in jewelry, especially earrings and necklaces. They are associated with preciousness.

Out of the 5 million oysters sold at his business each year, the chef said only a couple of people have found a pearl in his 25 years working there. https://t.co/naubeRyIbV

— Idaho Statesman (@IdahoStatesman) December 18, 2018

I'm wearing my grandmother's pearl necklace today, I feel fancy.

— Lauren Matthews (@miss_matthews) January 11, 2013

Also 100 years ago, pearls were incredibly expensive and *the* luxury gem. Then cultured pearls were developed in the 1930s.

— Virginia Postrel (@vpostrel) May 12, 2021

Try using pearl!

True or False? 

Pearls are only ever white.