I. ˈpər(-ə)l noun
Etymology: Middle English perle, from Anglo-French, probably from Vulgar Latin * pernula, diminutive of Latin perna upper leg, kind of sea mussel; akin to Old English fiersn heel, Greek pternē
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : a dense variously colored and usually lustrous concretion formed of concentric layers of nacre as an abnormal growth within the shell of some mollusks and used as a gem
b. : mother-of-pearl
2. : one that is very choice or precious
3. : something resembling a pearl intrinsically or physically
4. : a nearly neutral slightly bluish medium gray
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1. : to set or adorn with pearls
2. : to sprinkle or bead with pearly drops
3. : to form into small round grains
4. : to give a pearly color or luster to
intransitive verb
1. : to form drops or beads like pearls
2. : to fish or search for pearls
• pearl·er ˈpər-lər noun
III. adjective
Date: 1610
1.
a. : of, relating to, or resembling pearl
b. : made of or adorned with pearls
2. : having medium-sized grains
pearl barley
IV. noun or transitive verb
Etymology: alteration of purl
Date: 1824
British : picot