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| pearl [ purl ] |
noun (plural pearls) |
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| Definition: |
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1. gem formed in mollusk: a small lustrous sphere of calcium carbonate that forms around a grain of sand in an ocean organism such as an oyster. Use: gems.
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2. handicraft
Same as mother-of-pearl
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3. somebody or something much valued: somebody or something highly esteemed or valued
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4. pale grayish white color: a pale grayish white color tinged with blue
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verb (past and past participle pearled, present participle pearl·ing, 3rd person present singular pearls) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb harvest pearls: to fish or dive for pearls
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2. transitive and intransitive verb make beads: to form drops shaped like pearls or take on a pearlized color, or cause something to do this
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3. transitive verb decorate something with pearls: to decorate something with pearls or with things that resemble pearls
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| [14th century. < Old French perle, probably < assumed Vulgar Latin pernula "little mollusk" < Latin perna "ham"; because of the mollusk's shape] |
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  pearl adjective |
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