PEARL, PEARLY
ADJECTIVES
– BACCATED † set with pearls …1731
– MARGARITAL † pearl-like …a1618
– MARGARITACEOUS pearly …1826
– MARGARITIFEROUS producing pearls …1656
– MARGARITIFEROUS wearing pearls …1838 nonce use
– ORIENT applied to pearls and precious stones of superior value and brilliancy, as coming anciently from the East; precious, excellent; brilliant, lustrous, sparkling …c1400
– ORIENTAL applied to pearls and precious stones …c1385
NOUNS
– EYE † the transparency and lustre of a pearl or precious stone …1699
– MARGARET a pearl …1310 arch.
– MARGARITE † a pearl …1310 obs. exc. arch.
– MARGERIE † a pearl …a1300
– MARGERY † a pearl …a1300
– MILK ROPE a pearl necklace …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
– ONION † a pearl …1688
– ORIENT * the colour or peculiar lustre of a pearl of the best quality …1755
– ORIENTAL † an oriental pearl or other gem …1377
– OYSTER a pearl …1917 Amer. jocular
– OYSTERBERRY a pearl …1917 Amer. jocular
– OYSTER FRUIT pearls …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
– POILS pearls …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
– REAL OYSTERS genuine pearls …1910s sl.
– SNIDE a stolen pearl …1933 Aust. sl.
– TEARS pearls …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
NOUNS, PERSON
1970 ► OYSTER a society woman who is paid to wear stolen pearls, hoping to entice an offer of purchase → UK criminals’ sl.
Lexicophilia 