Word: pearl Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Inherited from Middle English perle, from Old French perle of uncertain etymology. Probably via unattested Medieval Latin *pernula, from Latin perna (“haunch; a marine bivalve shaped like a leg of lamb”) but also derived from Medieval Latin perla, from Latin perula (“little bag”). Its typographic use follows the name given by Jean Jannon to the type used in his miniature editions of Vergil, Horace, & the New Testament in the 1620s, which were the smallest printed works to his time. Its surfing use derives from the supposed resemblance to pearl diving. Pronunciation: /pɜːl/, [pʰəːɫ], /pɝl/, [pʰɚɫ] 1. 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. Labels: countable, literally, uncountable 2. 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. Labels: countable, literally, uncountable 3. Something precious. Labels: countable, figuratively, uncountable Example: I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl. Example: Hugh helped himself to bacon. "My dear fellow, she can think what she likes so long as she continues to grill bacon like this. Your wife is a treasure, James—a pearl amongst women; and you can tell her so with my love." 4. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing liquid for, e.g., medicinal application. Labels: countable, uncountable 5. A whitish speck or film on the eye. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Boast not of your eyes; it is feared you have Balaam's disease, a pearl in your eye, Mammon's prestriction. 6. A fish allied to the turbot; the brill. Labels: countable, uncountable 7. A light-colored tern. Labels: countable, uncountable 8. One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler. Labels: countable, uncountable 9. A fringe or border. Labels: countable, uncountable 10. A valuable little nugget of information; especially, an aphorism or tip that is operationally useful for decision-making. Labels: countable, figuratively, uncountable Example: clinical pearls 11. The clitoris. Labels: countable, euphemistic, figuratively, slang, uncountable, vulgar Example: My mouth and tongue finally find her pearl. Her clitoris. Example: Teasing her pearl she shakes in my arms, rolling her eyes and throwing the pussy at me. 12. Ellipsis of pearl tapioca. Labels: abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable 13. Argent, in blazoning by precious stones. Labels: countable, uncountable Example: Errol. Pearl three Escutcheons Ruby. / Elgin. Topaz a Saltier and Chief Ruby, on a Canton Pearl a Lyon Rampant Saphyr, which last is their paternal Coat; and the Field Topaz, and Saltier, and Chief Ruby, was the Arms of King Robert the Bruce, they altering the Field from Pearl (as he bore it) to Topaz. Example: The Field is Ruby, on a Bend Topaz, three Martlets Diamond. The Armes of the most Noble and Puissant Lord, Edward Brabazon, Earl of Meath, and Baron of Atherdee in the Kingdom of Ireland. His Lordship's Atchievements are Quarterly of sixteen Coats. 1. Brabazon, as above. 2. Diamond, on a Chevron between three Pickaxes Pearl, as many Mullets Ruby, by the Name of Mosley. 3. Saphire, ten Bezants, 4, 3, 2, 1, by the Bisset. 4. Pearl, on a Bend Diamond, nine Annulets conjoined in three Links Topaz. 14. The size of type between diamond and agate, standardized as 5-point. Labels: dated, uncountable 15. A jewel or gem. Labels: countable, obsolete, uncountable Example: There is gold, and multitude of pearles: but a precious vessel the lips of knowledge.