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. 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. pearliness n.