pearl /pɜːl $ pɜːrl/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: perle , from Vulgar Latin pernula , from Latin perna 'mussel' ]
1 . JEWEL [countable] a small round white object that forms inside an ↑ oyster , and is a valuable jewel:
a pearl necklace
a string of pearls (=a ↑ necklace made of pearls)
2 . HARD SUBSTANCE [uncountable] a hard shiny substance of various colours formed inside some ↑ shellfish , which is used for making buttons or to make objects look attractive SYN mother-of-pearl
3 . pearls of wisdom wise remarks – used especially when you really think that someone’s remarks are slightly stupid:
Thank you for those pearls of wisdom, Emma.
4 . cast/throw pearls before swine formal to give something valuable to someone who does not understand its value
5 . LIQUID [countable] literary a small round drop of liquid:
the pearls of the morning dew
6 . EXCELLENT THING/PERSON [countable usually singular] old-fashioned someone or something that is especially good or valuable
pearl among
She’s a pearl among women.