Main Entry: pearl·ite

Pronunciation: \ˈpər(-ə)-ˌlīt\

Function: noun

Etymology: French perlite, from perle pearl

Date: 1888

: the lamellar mixture of ferrite and cementite in slowly cooled iron-carbon alloys occurring normally as a principal constituent of both steel and cast iron

— pearl·it·ic \ˌpər-ˈli-tik\ adjective