Word Definition

Pearl

  1. Nacre, or mother-of-pearl.
  2. A whitish speck or film on the eye.
  3. A light-colored tern.
  4. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether.
  5. A size of type, between agate and diamond.
  6. To give or hunt for pearls; as, to go pearling.
  7. To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl. Used also figuratively.
  8. A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
  9. 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.
  10. Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something very precious.
  11. To resemble pearl or pearls.
  12. To cause to resemble pearls; to make into small round grains; as, to pearl barley.
  13. A fringe or border.
  14. To fringe; to border.
  15. One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.

Synonyms