pearl

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   Something precious.

   I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl.

2. 2
   noun

   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.

3. 3
   noun

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

   clinical pearls

4. 4
   noun

   The clitoris.

   My mouth and tongue finally find her pearl. Her clitoris.

5. 5
   noun

   Argent, in blazoning by precious stones.

   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.

6. 6
   noun

   A jewel or gem.

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

7. 7
   verb

   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.

8. 8
   verb

   To cause to resemble pearls in shape; to make into small round grains.

   to pearl barley

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.