pearls

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of pearl.

   She wore a single strand of pearls with her black dress.

   Divers once spent whole seasons searching these waters for pearls.

   Note

   Nearly every use of pearl can be counted, so the plural covers gems on a necklace, gelatin capsules of medicine, and even whitish specks on the eye. When the shiny material is meant rather than the gem, English reaches for the mass noun instead: a handle inlaid with pearl, or with mother-of-pearl. The same spelling also serves as the present-tense verb.

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of pearl.

   Condensation pearls on the side of the glass as soon as the iced tea is poured.

   Each dawn a fine mist pearls along the threads of the spider's web.

   Note

   The verb works both with and without an object. Without one, it describes moisture gathering into round drops, as when condensation pearls on a cold glass, or someone diving to hunt for pearls. With one, it means decorating a thing with pearls or mother-of-pearl, or giving it their round shape or soft luster.

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