/ pɜːl; NAmE pɜːrl/ noun
1.
[ C ] a small hard shiny white ball that forms inside the shell of an oyster and is of great value as a jewel :
a string of pearls
a pearl necklace
She was wearing her pearls (= a necklace of pearls ) .
—see also seed pearl
2.
[ C ] a copy of a pearl that is made artificially
3.
[ U ] = mother-of-pearl :
pearl buttons
4.
[ C , usually sing. ] a thing that looks like a pearl in shape or colour :
pearls of dew on the grass
5.
[ C ] a thing that is very highly valued :
She is a pearl among women.
•
IDIOMS
- cast, throw, etc. pearls before swine
- a pearl of wisdom
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French perle , perhaps based on Latin perna leg, extended to denote a leg-of-mutton-shaped bivalve.