pearl

Universal Words noun 1 [C] a small hard shiny white ball that forms inside the shell of an OYSTER and is of great value as a jewel: a string of pearls * a pearl necklace * She was wearing her pearls (= a necklace of pearls). seealsoSEEDPEARL 2 [C] a copy of a pearl that is made artificially 3 [U] = MOTHER-OF-PEARL: pearl buttons 4 [C,usually sing.] a thing that looks like a pearl in shape or colour: pearls of dew on the grass 5 [C] a thing that is very precious or highly valued: She is a pearl among women. * The ski resort is known as the Pearl of the Alps. IDIOMS cast, throw, etc. pearls before swine to give or offer valuable things to people who do not understand their value a pearl of wisdom (usually ironic) a wise remark: Thank you for those pearls of wisdom.