Definition of "pearl" in Anglais

noun

1. (literally) A shelly concretion, usually rounded, and having a brilliant luster, with varying tints, found in the mantle, or between the mantle and shell, of certain bivalve mollusks, especially in the pearl oysters and river mussels, and sometimes in certain univalves. It is usually due to a secretion of shelly substance around some irritating foreign particle. Its substance is the same as nacre, or mother-of-pearl. Round lustrous pearls are used in jewellery.

2. (figuratively) Something precious.

3. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing liquid for, e.g., medicinal application.

4. A whitish speck or film on the eye.

5. A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.

6. A light-colored tern.

7. One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.

8. A fringe or border.

9. (figuratively) A valuable little nugget of information; especially, an aphorism or tip that is operationally useful for decision-making.

   • clinical pearls

10. (figuratively, euphemistic or vulgar slang) The clitoris.

11. Ellipsis of pearl tapioca.

12. (heraldry) Argent, in blazoning by precious stones.

13. (uncountable, typography, printing, dated) The size of type between diamond and agate, standardized as 5-point.

14. (obsolete) A jewel or gem.

    • There is gold, and multitude of pearles: but a precious vessel the lips of knowledge.

verb

1. (transitive, sometimes figurative) To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl.

2. (transitive) To cause to resemble pearls in shape; to make into small round grains.

   • to pearl barley

3. (transitive) To cause to resemble pearls in lustre or iridescence.

4. (intransitive) To resemble pearl or pearls.

5. (intransitive, of a liquid) To bead; to form droplets.

6. (intransitive) To hunt for pearls

   • to go pearling

7. (intransitive, surfing) To sink the nose of one's surfboard into the water, often on takeoff.

   • Used a pointed tip today and learned why I kept pearling with my round tipped board. Round noses like to dig into the water, causing frustrating wipeouts.

8. (intransitive, surfing) Of the nose of the surfboard: to sink in this manner.

9. (intransitive, botany) Of aquatic plants: to produce visible bubbles on the stems and leaves during photosynthesis, usually in a simulated environment like an aquarium.