Pearl
[pɜːl] or [pɝl]
Definition
(noun.) a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel.
(verb.) gather pearls, from oysters in the ocean.
Edited by Cathryn--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A fringe or border.
(v. t. ) To fringe; to border.
(n.) 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.
(n.) Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something very precious.
(n.) Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
(n.) A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
(n.) A light-colored tern.
(n.) One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.
(n.) A whitish speck or film on the eye.
(n.) A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether.
(n.) A size of type, between agate and diamond.
(a.) Of or pertaining to pearl or pearls; made of pearls, or of mother-of-pearl.
(v. t.) To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.
(v. t.) To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.
(v. i.) To resemble pearl or pearls.
(v. i.) To give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.
Typed by Debora
Definition
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 perl); 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.
Checked by Jo
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of pearls, is a forerunner of good business and trade and affairs of social nature. If a young woman dreams that her lover sends her gifts of pearls, she will indeed be most fortunate, as there will be occasions of festivity and pleasure for her, besides a loving and faithful affianced devoid of the jealous inclinations so ruinous to the peace of lovers. If she loses or breaks her pearls, she will suffer indescribable sadness and sorrow through bereavement or misunderstandings. To find herself admiring them, she will covet and strive for love or possessions with a pureness of purpose.
Edited by Joanne
Unserious Contents or Definition
A small round product manufactured by an oyster, bought by a lobster and worn by a butterfly.
Checker: Myrna
Examples
- With infinite difficulty, for he was stubborn as a stone, I persuaded him to make an exchange in favour of a sober black satin and pearl-grey silk. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- It went into service August 15, 1882, about three weeks before the Pearl Street station. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- A pearl-white moon smiles through the gray trees; does he care for her smile? Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- It was very difficult to get the land he wanted for his central station, but he finally bought two old buildings on Pearl Street for $150,000. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- Gentlemen, he cried, let me introduce you to the famous black pearl of the Borgias. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- And busily, in my own mind, I ran over the list of our inmates, seeking this paragon, this pearl of great price, this gem without flaw. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- The Japanese produce them by fastening a piece of mother-of-pearl in the shells of the pearl-oyster and allowing it to remain there for a number of years. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- White pearls include pure white and white slightly tinted with pink, blue, green or yellow. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- If a woman's going to ignore her pearls, they want to be better than anybody else's--and so it is with everything else. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- So the diver hoisted it up, and was much disappointed on opening it to find no pearls. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Where do Pearls Come From? Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- I see closed daisy-heads gleaming like pearls on some mounds. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Diving, aside from the pleasure afforded to good swimmers, is important in many different industries, particularly in fishing for pearls, corals, sponges, etc. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- As at present existing, the crown of England is a gold circle, adorned with pearls and precious stones, having alternately four Maltese crosses and four fleur-de-lis. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- They looked down on the deep valley robed in May raiment; on varied meads, some pearled with daisies, and some golden with king-cups. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
Checked by Kenneth