MOTHER-OF-PEARL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does mother-of-pearl mean? 

• MOTHER-OF-PEARL (noun)
  The noun MOTHER-OF-PEARL has 1 sense:

1. the iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell

  Familiarity information: MOTHER-OF-PEARL used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MOTHER-OF-PEARL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Synonyms:

mother-of-pearl; nacre

Hypernyms ("mother-of-pearl" is a kind of...):

shell (the material that forms the hard outer covering of many animals)

 Context examples 

Finally, the conversation turned to music—I am not sure that my uncle did not artfully bring it there, and the Prince, hearing from him of my tastes, would have it that I should then and there sit down at the wonderful little piano, all inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which stood in the corner, and play him the accompaniment to his song.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)