Pearl oyster

Pearl oyster
Pearl Pearl, n. [OE. perle, F. perle, LL. perla, perula, probably fr. (assumed) L. pirulo, dim. of L. pirum a pear. See {Pear}, and cf. {Purl} to mantle.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) 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. Pearls which are round, or nearly round, and of fine luster, are highly esteemed as jewels, and compare in value with the precious stones. [1913 Webster]

2. Hence, figuratively, something resembling a pearl; something very precious. [1913 Webster]

I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

And those pearls of dew she wears. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. Nacre, or mother-of-pearl. [1913 Webster]

4. (Zo["o]l.) A fish allied to the turbot; the brill. [1913 Webster]

5. (Zo["o]l.) A light-colored tern. [1913 Webster]

6. (Zo["o]l.) One of the circle of tubercles which form the bur on a deer's antler. [1913 Webster]

7. A whitish speck or film on the eye. [Obs.] --Milton. [1913 Webster]

8. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing some liquid for medicinal application, as ether. [1913 Webster]

9. (Print.) A size of type, between agate and diamond. [1913 Webster] [hand] This line is printed in the type called pearl. [1913 Webster]

{Ground pearl}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Ground}.

{Pearl barley}, kernels of barley, ground so as to form small, round grains.

{Pearl diver}, one who dives for pearl oysters.

{Pearl edge}, an edge of small loops on the side of some kinds of ribbon; also, a narrow kind of thread edging to be sewed on lace.

{Pearl eye}, cataract. [R.]

{Pearl gray}, a very pale and delicate blue-gray color.

{Pearl millet}, Egyptian millet ({Penicillaria spicata}).

{Pearl moss}. See {Carrageen}.

{Pearl moth} (Zo["o]l.), any moth of the genus {Margaritia}; -- so called on account of its pearly color.

{Pearl oyster} (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of large tropical marine bivalve mollusks of the genus {Meleagrina}, or {Margaritifera}, found in the East Indies (especially at Ceylon), in the Persian Gulf, on the coast of Australia, and on the Pacific coast of America. Called also {pearl shell}, and {pearl mussel}.

{Pearl powder}. See {Pearl white}, below.

{Pearl sago}, sago in the form of small pearly grains.

{Pearl sinter} (Min.), fiorite.

{Pearl spar} (Min.), a crystallized variety of dolomite, having a pearly luster.

{Pearl white}. (a) Basic bismuth nitrate, or bismuth subchloride; -- used chiefly as a cosmetic. (b) A variety of white lead blued with indigo or Berlin blue. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Pearl oyster — Oyster Oys ter (ois t[ e]r), n. [OF. oistre, F. hu[^i]tre, L. ostrea, ostreum, Gr. o streon; prob. akin to ostre on bone, the oyster being so named from its shell. Cf. {Osseous}, {Ostracize}.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) Any marine bivalve mollusk of the genus …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pearl oyster — Taxobox name = Pearl oyster image caption = Black lip oyster, Pinctada margaritifera regnum = Animalia phylum = Mollusca classis = Bivalvia ordo = Pterioida familia = Pteriidae genus = Pinctada genus authority = Roding, 1798 subdivision ranks =… …   Wikipedia

  • pearl oyster — pearl′ oys ter n. ivt any of several marine bivalve mollusks of the family Pteriidae, inhabiting tropical waters, some of which form pearls of great value • Etymology: 1685–95 …   From formal English to slang

  • pearl oyster — noun tropical marine bivalve found chiefly off eastern Asia and Pacific coast of North America and Central America; a major source of pearls • Syn: ↑Pinctada margaritifera • Hypernyms: ↑oyster • Member Holonyms: ↑Pinctada, ↑genus Pinctada …   Useful english dictionary

  • pearl oyster — noun Any of several bivalve molluscs that are a source of pearls, but especially Pinctada margaritifera Syn: pearl shell …   Wiktionary

  • pearl oyster — /pɜl ˈɔɪstə/ (say perl oystuh) noun any of the pearl producing bivalve molluscs of the family Ostreidae …  

  • pearl oyster — any of several marine bivalve mollusks of the family Pteriidae, some of which form pearls of great value, inhabiting waters of eastern Asia and off the coasts of Panama and Lower California. [1685 95] * * * …   Universalium

  • pearl oyster —   Pipi. See sayings, i a hāmau leo, kuhi1 …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • pearl-oyster — …   Useful english dictionary

  • ceylon pearl oyster — noun Usage: usually capitalized C : a small pearl oyster (Pinctada vulgaris) widely distributed in the Indian ocean …   Useful english dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”