Epithelial-pearl

noun, Pathology.
1.
1 (def 8).
[purl] /pɜrl/
noun
1.
a smooth, rounded bead formed within the shells of certain mollusks and composed of the mineral aragonite or calcite in a matrix, deposited in concentric layers as a protective coating around an irritating foreign object: valued as a gem when lustrous and finely colored.
Compare .
2.
something resembling this, as various synthetic substances for use in costume jewelry.
3.
something similar in form, luster, etc., as a dewdrop or a capsule of medicine.
4.
something precious or choice; the finest example of anything:
pearls of wisdom.
5.
a very pale gray approaching white but commonly with a bluish tinge.
6.
mother-of-pearl:
a pearl-handled revolver.
7.
Printing. a 5-point type.
8.
Also called epithelial pearl. Pathology. a rounded mass of keratin occurring in certain carcinomas of the skin.
verb (used with object)
9.
to adorn or stud with or as with pearls.
10.
to make like pearls, as in form or color.
verb (used without object)
11.
to dive, fish, or search for pearls.
12.
to assume a pearllike form or appearance.
adjective
13.
resembling a pearl in form or color.
14.
of or relating to pearls:
pearl diving.
15.
set with a pearl or pearls or covered or inlaid with pearls or mother-of-pearl:
a pearl necklace.
16.
having or reduced to small, rounded grains.
Idioms
17.
cast pearls before swine, to offer or give something of great value to those incapable of appreciating it:
She read them Shakespeare but it was casting pearls before swine.
/pɜːl/
noun
1.
a hard smooth lustrous typically rounded structure occurring on the inner surface of the shell of a clam or oyster: consists of calcium carbonate secreted in layers around an invading particle such as a sand grain; much valued as a gem related adjectives margaric margaritic
2.
any artificial gem resembling this
3.
See mother-of-pearl
4.
a person or thing that is like a pearl, esp in beauty or value
5.
a pale greyish-white colour, often with a bluish tinge
6.
a size of printer’s type, approximately equal to 5 point
adjective
7.
of, made of, or set with pearl or mother-of-pearl
8.
having the shape or colour of a pearl
verb
9.
(transitive) to set with or as if with pearls
10.
to shape into or assume a pearl-like form or colour
11.
(intransitive) to dive or search for pearls
/pɜːl/
noun, verb
1.
a variant spelling of purl1 (sense 2), purl1 (sense 3), purl1 (sense 5)
n.

mid-13c., from Old French perle (13c.) and directly from Medieval Latin perla (mid-13c.), of unknown origin. Perhaps from Vulgar Latin *pernula, diminutive of Latin perna, which in Sicily meant “pearl,” earlier “sea-mussel,” literally “ham, haunch, gammon,” so called for the shape of the mollusk shells.

Other theories connect it with the root of pear, also somehow based on shape, or Latin pilula “globule,” with dissimilation. The usual Latin word for “pearl” was margarita (see margarite).

For pearls before swine, see swine. Pearl Harbor translates Hawaiian Wai Momi, literally “pearl waters,” so named for the pearl oysters found there; transferred sense of “effective sudden attack” is attested from 1942 (in reference to Dec. 7, 1941).

epithelial pearl n.
See keratin pearl.

pearl (pûrl)
n.

pearl
(pûrl)
A smooth, slightly iridescent, white or grayish rounded growth inside the shells of some mollusks. Pearls form as a reaction to the presence of a foreign particle, and consist of thin layers of mother-of-pearl that are deposited around the particle. The pearls of oysters are often valued as gems.

(Heb. gabish, Job 28:18; Gr. margarites, Matt. 7:6; 13:46; Rev. 21:21). The pearl oyster is found in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Its shell is the “mother of pearl,” which is of great value for ornamental purposes (1 Tim. 2:9; Rev. 17:4). Each shell contains eight or ten pearls of various sizes.