mabe pearl

noun

ˈmä-ˌbā-

: a cultured pearl essentially hemispherical in form

called also mabe

Word History

Etymology

mabe probably from Ryukyuan Japanese (Amami dialect), the pearl oyster Pteria penguin

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of mabe pearl was in 1951

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Browse Nearby Words

Maba

mabe pearl

mabi

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Mabe pearl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mabe%20pearl. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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