/pɜ:l; pɝl/
n
1 (a) small, hard, round, silvery-white or bluish-grey lustrous mass that forms inside the shells of some oysters and is of great value as a gem 珍珠
*a string of pearls 一串珍珠
* [attrib 作定语] a pearl necklace 珍珠项链.
(b) man-made imitation of this 人造珍珠
*cultivated pearls 人工养殖的珍珠.
2 thing resembling a pearl in shape or colour （形状或颜色）似珍珠之物
*pearls of dew on the grass 草上的露珠.
3 very precious or highly valued person or thing (used esp in the expressions shown) 极宝贵或极有价值的人或事物（尤用于以下示例）
*a pearl among women 女子中的杰出者
* pearls of wisdom 智慧的结晶.
4 (idm 习语) cast pearls before swine => cast1.

n

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1【jewel】
2【hard substance】
3 pearls of wisdom
4 cast/throw pearls before swine
5【liquid】
6【excellent thing/person】

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[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French;Origin: perle, from Vulgar Latin pernula, from Latin perna 'mussel']
【JEWEL】[C]
a small round white object that forms inside an oyster, and is a valuable jewel
　a pearl necklace
　a string of pearls (=anecklace made of pearls)
【HARD SUBSTANCE】[U]
a hard shiny substance of various colours formed inside some shellfish, which is used for making buttons or to make objects look attractive
= mother-of-pearl
pearls of wisdom
wise remarks - used especially when you really think that someone's remarks are slightly stupid
　Thank you for those pearls of wisdom, Emma.
cast/throw pearls before swine
formal to give something valuable to someone who does not understand its value
【LIQUID】[C]literary
a small round drop of liquid
　the pearls of the morning dew
【EXCELLENT THING/PERSON】 [C usually singular]
old-fashioned someone or something that is especially good or valuable
pearl among
　She's a pearl among women.