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pearl

Browse the Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

pearl

Main Entry:: ¹pearl
Pronunciation:: \ˈpər(-ə)l\
Function:: 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-pearl2: one that is very choice or precious3: something resembling a pearl intrinsically or physically4: a nearly neutral slightly bluish medium gray

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