Definition

1. Noun:
   • Mother-of-pearl: A smooth, hard, iridescent substance forming the inner layer of the shell of some mollusks, such as oysters and abalones. It is secreted by the mantle tissue of the mollusk and is composed of calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite crystals and an organic protein. It is valued for its decorative beauty.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The box was inlaid with exquisite nacre.
  • Pearls are formed when an irritant becomes coated with layers of nacre.
  • The artisan used nacre to create beautiful buttons.

Advanced Usage

• "Nacreous" (adjective): Having the qualities of or resembling nacre; iridescent.
  • The vase had a beautiful nacreous sheen.

Variants and Related Words

• Mother-of-pearl: A common synonym for nacre.
• Nacreous: The adjective form.
• Pearl: A gem formed within a mollusk by the deposition of nacre around an irritant.

Synonyms

• Mother-of-pearl
• Pearl essence

Notes

• Nacre is a biocomposite material known for its strength and iridescent optical properties, which result from the way light interacts with its layered crystalline structure.

Noun

1. the iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell