adj. & n.
--adj. (pearlier, pearliest)
1. resembling a pearl; lustrous.
2 containing pearls or mother-of-pearl.
3 adorned with pearls.
--n. (pl. -ies) (in pl.) Brit.
1. pearly kings and queens.
2 a pearly king's or queen's clothes or pearl buttons.
Phrases and idioms:
Pearly Gates colloq. the gates of Heaven. pearly king (or queen) Brit. a London costermonger (or his wife) wearing clothes covered with pearl buttons. pearly nautilus see NAUTILUS.
Derivatives:
pearliness n.