pearl
A single pearl rests on a bed of dark blue velvet inside an open jewelry box.
Noun 1. A smooth, hard, lustrous spherical or pear-shaped object: This object forms within the shell of some mollusks, especially oysters and mussels. It is composed of layers of nacre (mother-of-pearl) deposited around a foreign irritant and is highly valued as a gem. 2. Something resembling a pearl in shape, color, or value: This can refer to a small, round, lustrous drop (e.g., a pearl of sweat) or something precious or excellent (e.g., a pearl of wisdom). 3. A pale, grayish-white color: A shade similar to that of some pearls. 4. A type size in printing: A small size of type, approximately 5-point.
Verb 1. To dive or search for pearls: To gather pearls from oysters or other mollusks. 2. To form drops resembling pearls: To form into small, round, glistening drops, like dew or sweat. 3. To adorn or sprinkle with pearl-like drops or objects.
- Noun (Gem):
- She wore a necklace of exquisite pearls.
- A single pearl was embedded in the ring's setting.
- Noun (Resemblance):
- Early morning pearls of dew covered the grass.
- His advice was a true pearl of wisdom.
- Verb:
- For generations, their family has pearled in these waters.
- Rain pearled on the surface of the waxed car.
- "Cast pearls before swine" (Idiom): To offer something valuable or beautiful to someone who cannot appreciate it.
- Explaining classical music to him is like casting pearls before swine.
- "Pearl of great price": Something of immense value, often with a spiritual or metaphorical meaning.
- Her friendship was a pearl of great price to him.
- Pearlescent (adj.): Having a soft, shimmering luster like that of a pearl.
- The car had a beautiful pearlescent paint finish.
- Mother-of-pearl (n.): The iridescent lining of certain mollusk shells, the material that forms pearls.
- The buttons were made of mother-of-pearl.
- Pearler (n.): A person who dives for or deals in pearls.
- Noun (Gem): Nacre, gem, jewel.
- Noun (Drop): Bead, droplet, globule.
- Noun (Valuable thing): Treasure, gem, prize.
(The word "pearl" does not commonly form standard phrasal verbs.)
- Pearl-clutching (adj., informal): Feigning or expressing exaggerated shock or outrage, often regarding manners or morality.
- The article prompted a lot of pearl-clutching from conservative commentators.
A single pearl rests on a bed of dark blue velvet inside an open jewelry box.
- a shape that is spherical and small
- he studied the shapes of low-viscosity drops
- beads of sweat on his forehead
- a shade of white the color of bleached bones
- a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster; much valued as a jewel
- gather pearls, from oysters in the ocean