mother-of-pearl

noun

moth·​er-of-pearl ˌmə-t͟hə-rə(v)-ˈpər(-ə)l How to pronounce mother-of-pearl (audio)
: the hard pearly iridescent substance forming the inner layer of a mollusk shell

Examples of mother-of-pearl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The background is a mashup of mother-of-pearl and aventurine. Carol Bresler, Robb Report, 13 Mar. 2024 Her Jaeger-LeCoultre 101 Reine timepiece in white gold is adorned with diamonds and features a mother-of-pearl dial. Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Mar. 2024 The mother-of-pearl is either white or green-tinted, and the hour markers and bezels are also set with diamonds. Carol Besler, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 Made in the most sumptuous 22mm Mulberry silk, and tailored in a way that turns a classic nightshirt into something surprisingly glamorous, elegant cuff piping and mother-of-pearl buttons make this a sleepwear dream. Margaux Lushing, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 There was also a mother-of-pearl bracelet and ancient Nubian and Egyptian pottery, according to the study. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Feb. 2024 Among these are an Indo-Portuguese brass and mother-of-pearl ewer from the early 17th century, and Carolina’s favorite: a portrait of Doña Isidora Navarro, a daughter of a large, upper-class Spanish family. Caitie Kelly Kin Woo Kate Guadagnino Nicole Demarco Megan O’Sullivan, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2024 The diamond stars applied to the mother-of-pearl background are slightly raised to stand out against the sky, and the opening for the tourbillon carriage is sloped inward, like an arena, and polished to emphasize the depth. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 19 Dec. 2023 Boucheron Pearl Soap Bubble necklace in aluminum and 18-karat white gold set with diamonds, mother-of-pearl, and sapphire glass; APC Surchemise Etania denim shirt, $335. Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mother-of-pearl.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1510, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mother-of-pearl was circa 1510

Dictionary Entries Near mother-of-pearl

Cite this Entry

“Mother-of-pearl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mother-of-pearl. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mother-of-pearl

noun
moth·​er-of-pearl
ˌmət͟h-ə-rə(v)-ˈpər(-ə)l
: the hard pearly material that lines the shell of some mollusks (as mussels) and is often used for ornamental objects and buttons

More from Merriam-Webster on mother-of-pearl

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