pearl oyster

noun

any of several marine bivalve mollusks of the family Pteriidae, some of which form pearls of great value, inhabiting waters of eastern Asia and off the coasts of Panama and Baja California.

Origin of pearl oyster

First recorded in 1685–95

Words nearby pearl oyster

pearl hominy, pearl millet, pearl molding, pearl of great price, pearl onion, pearl oyster, pearl perch, pearl river, pearl tapioca, pearl tumor, pearl-clutching

Example sentences from the Web for pearl oyster

The pearl-oyster is a large mollusk, the shell weighing sometimes as much as eight pounds.

Under the Southern Cross |Maturin M. Ballou
It proved to be a pearl-oyster, as Max had supposed, and on being opened was found to contain eleven seed-pearls.

The Island Home |Richard Archer
In the other hand he bore a kind of clapper formed of two pearl-oyster shells, beautifully polished.

The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead |James George Frazer
Pliny says the dew-or rain-drops fall into the shells of the pearl-oyster when it gapes.

Ancient Man in Britain |Donald A. (Donald Alexander) Mackenzie

In addition to the foregoing industries, there is another of almost equal importance—that of the pearl and pearl-oyster fishery.

Spinifex and Sand |David W Carnegie

British Dictionary definitions for pearl oyster

pearl oyster

noun

any of various tropical marine bivalves of the genus Pinctada and related genera: a major source of pearls

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

pearl oyster

noun

Origin of pearl oyster

Words nearby pearl oyster

Example sentences from the Web for pearl oyster

British Dictionary definitions for pearl oyster

noun

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

pearl oyster

noun

Origin of pearl oyster

Words nearby pearl oyster

Example sentences from the Web for pearl oyster

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noun

British Dictionary definitions for pearl oyster