Pearl
/pɜːrl/noun
A hard, round object produced within the soft tissue of a living shelled mollusk.
Did you know?In ancient cultures, pearls were often believed to be the tears of the gods, symbolizing purity and hidden wisdom.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*perla
“A precious object, often linked with beauty and rarity.”
Latin
Latin
perla
“A small ball or bead, often associated with precious materials.”
Old French
Old French
perle
“A bead or gem, often used in adornments.”
Middle English
Middle English
perle
“A precious gem, specifically the rounded object from mollusks.”
Modern English
English
pearl
“A lustrous object formed within a mollusk, valued for its beauty.”