pearl

I. noun Etymology: Middle English perle, from Anglo-French, probably from Vulgar Latin *pernula, diminutive of Latin perna upper leg, kind of sea mussel; akin to Old English fiersn heel, Greek pternē Date: 14th century 1. a. a dense variously colored and usually lustrous concretion formed of concentric layers of nacre as an abnormal growth within the shell of some mollusks and used as a gem b. mother-of-pearl 2. one that is very choice or precious 3. something resembling a pearl intrinsically or physically 4. a nearly neutral slightly bluish medium gray II. verb Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. to set or adorn with pearls 2. to sprinkle or bead with pearly drops 3. to form into small round grains 4. to give a pearly color or luster to intransitive verb 1. to form drops or beads like pearls 2. to fish or search for pearls • pearler noun III. adjective Date: 1610 1. a. of, relating to, or resembling pearl b. made of or adorned with pearls 2. having medium-sized grains <

pearl barley

> IV. noun or transitive verb Etymology: alteration of purl Date: 1824 British picot