pearl
IPA: pˈɝɫ
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. Round lustrous pearls are used in jewellery.
- (figuratively) Something precious.
- A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing liquid for e.g. medicinal application.
- Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
- A whitish speck or film on the eye.
- A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
- A light-colored tern.
- One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.
- (uncountable, typography, printing, dated) The size of type between diamond and agate, standardized as 5-point.
- A fringe or border.
- (obsolete) A jewel or gem.
- (figurative) A valuable little nugget of information; especially, an aphorism or tip that is operationally useful for decision-making.
- (euphemistic, vulgar, slang) The clitoris.
- (heraldry) Argent, in blazoning by precious stones.
- A female given name from English
- A surname.
- Particularly, the river in Guangdong, China, the major river of Canton Province in the People's Republic of China.
- Short for pearl tapioca. [Small edible balls made primarily from tapioca starch; used in bubble tea.]
- A placename [A major river in southern China.]
- Ellipsis of Pearl River.: various Pearl Rivers across the world. [A major river in southern China.]
- Ellipsis of Pearl Harbor.: A harbor in Oahu, Hawaii, United States, in the Pacific [A placename]
verb
- (transitive, sometimes figurative) To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl.
- (transitive) To cause to resemble pearls in shape; to make into small round grains.
- (transitive) To cause to resemble pearls in lustre or iridescence.
- (intransitive) To resemble pearl or pearls.
- (intransitive) To hunt for pearls
- (intransitive, surfing) To sink the nose of one's surfboard into the water, often on takeoff.
- (intransitive, surfing) Of the nose of the surfboard: to sink in this manner.
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Examples of "pearl" in Sentences
- She wore a beautiful necklace adorned with shimmering pearls
- The oyster opened, revealing a precious pearl inside
- The pearl earrings sparkled in the sunlight, catching everyone's eye
- The beach was strewn with tiny pearls, scattered like precious gems in the sand
- The pearl of wisdom she shared with me was something I would never forget
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