Etymology Inherited from Middle English perle, from Old French perle of uncertain etymology. Probably via unattested Medieval Latin *pernula, from Latin perna (“haunch; a marine bivalve shaped like a leg of lamb”) but also derived from Medieval Latin perla, from Latin perula (“little bag”). Its typographic use follows the name given by Jean Jannon to the type used in his miniature editions of Vergil, Horace, & the New Testament in the 1620s, which were the smallest printed works to his time. Its surfing use derives from the supposed resemblance to pearl diving.
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.
I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl.c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene viii]:
Hugh helped himself to bacon. "My dear fellow, she can think what she likes so long as she continues to grill bacon like this. Your wife is a treasure, James—a pearl amongst women; and you can tell her so with my love."1920, Herman Cyril McNeile, chapter 1, in Bulldog Drummond:
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A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing liquid for, e.g., medicinal application.
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A whitish speck or film on the eye.
Boast not of your eyes; it is feared you have Balaam's disease, a pearl in your eye, Mammon's prestriction.1641, John Milton, Animadversions upon The Remonstrants Defence Against Smectymnuus, Section III:
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A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.
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A light-colored tern.
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One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler.
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A fringe or border.
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Figuratively A valuable little nugget of information; especially, an aphorism or tip that is operationally useful for decision-making.
Errol. Pearl three Escutcheons Ruby. / Elgin. Topaz a Saltier and Chief Ruby, on a Canton Pearl a Lyon Rampant Saphyr, which last is their paternal Coat; and the Field Topaz, and Saltier, and Chief Ruby, was the Arms of King Robert the Bruce, they altering the Field from Pearl (as he bore it) to Topaz.1720, Francis Nichols, Rudiments of Honour, page 296:
The Field is Ruby, on a Bend Topaz, three Martlets Diamond. The Armes of the most Noble and Puissant Lord, Edward Brabazon, Earl of Meath, and Baron of Atherdee in the Kingdom of Ireland. His Lordship's Atchievements are Quarterly of sixteen Coats. 1. Brabazon, as above. 2. Diamond, on a Chevron between three Pickaxes Pearl, as many Mullets Ruby, by the Name of Mosley. 3. Saphire, ten Bezants, 4, 3, 2, 1, by the Bisset. 4. Pearl, on a Bend Diamond, nine Annulets conjoined in three Links Topaz.1726, John Guillim, The Banner Display'd; Or, an Abridgment of Guillim, page 504:
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(1) Pearl, a Cross, Ruby, with the Effigies of our Saviour thereon, Topaz, born in Memory of one of the Family's fighting against the Turks.1754, John Lodge, The Peerage of Ireland; Or, a Genealogical History of the ..., page 71:
Etymology Inherited from Middle English perle, from Old French perle of uncertain etymology. Probably via unattested Medieval Latin *pernula, from Latin perna (“haunch; a marine bivalve shaped like a leg of lamb”) but also derived from Medieval Latin perla, from Latin perula (“little bag”). Its typographic use follows the name given by Jean Jannon to the type used in his miniature editions of Vergil, Horace, & the New Testament in the 1620s, which were the smallest printed works to his time. Its surfing use derives from the supposed resemblance to pearl diving.
Figuratively, Sometimes To set or adorn with pearls, or with mother-of-pearl.
Syed Omar began to walk to the airport. Sweat pearled his tough brown skin, his fat bounced in rhythm.1959, Anthony Burgess, Beds in the East (The Malayan Trilogy), published 1972, page 600:
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To cause to resemble pearls in shape; to make into small round grains.
to pearl barley
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To cause to resemble pearls in lustre or iridescence.
A Teaching Company Scheme developing new technology for pearling light bulbs was established in October […]1993, New Scientist, volume 139, page 62:
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To resemble pearl or pearls.
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Of a liquid To bead; to form droplets.
I'm left here with the memory of all their shining words, like drops of water pearling on the window-pane2007, Angela Patten, Reliquaries, Salmon Publishing, →ISBN, page 5:
Blood pearled on the blade, its aroma filling the air.2011 September 1, Kristen Painter, Blood Rights: House of Comarré: Book 1, Hachette UK, →ISBN:
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The razorlike edges sliced shallow seams through the callouses. The fluid pearled but didn't run, and it stung in the saltwater.2022 May 9, Lori Power, Backlash Bounty, The Wild Rose Press Inc, →ISBN:
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To hunt for pearls
to go pearling
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports, 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.1999, Joanne VanMeter https://web.archive.org/web/20071027111258/http://www.letsplay.net/archive99/020399.shtml
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Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports, Surfing Of the nose of the surfboard: to sink in this manner.
He couldn't even turn the board or raise the nose. Consequently, the board pearled, nose-dived into the water, throwing Lee off almost like being thrown from a horse. But he persisted.2017, Jian, Sh-Boom: The Way of the World:
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Biology, Botany, Natural sciences Of aquatic plants: to produce visible bubbles on the stems and leaves during photosynthesis, usually in a simulated environment like an aquarium.