A large pearl; = union, n.1 In quot. 1658 figurative. Obsolete.

a pearl from the seas around India, as distinguished from those of less beauty found in European mussels; (hence, more generally) a brilliant or…

A minute pearl resembling a seed, usually drilled for use in jewellery or as an ornament sewn to material. Also figurative.

small pearls used for powdering (sense 4).

a pear-shaped pearl.

a flattish black gem resembling a pearl.

Something shaped like a pear; esp. a pear-shaped pearl or gem (cf. pear pearl n. at compounds 2).

A pearl of large size, good quality, and great value.

Any of several small marine oysters of the genus Pinctada, esp. P. fucata, cultivated in Japan, China, and elsewhere for the production of…

a pearl from a freshwater pearl mussel, esp. Margaritifera margaritifera.

= pearl of orient n. at sense A. 1b. Obsolete.

In pearl bouton, bouton pearl, anglicization of perle bouton, a round pearl with a flat back marking the place where it was attached to the shell.

a pearly excrescence of irregular shape found on the shell of a pearl oyster.

(see quot.).

a pearl resembling a teardrop, having a broadly oval shape that tapers towards the top.

Of fish, pearls, etc.: grown or produced under controlled conditions; farmed; esp. in cultured pearl. Cf. culture, n. 2b.

The rearing or raising of certain animals, such as fish, oysters, bees, etc., or the production of natural animal products such as silk.