mother-of-pearl

American  

[muhth-er-uhv-purl] / ˈmʌð ər əvˈpɜrl /

noun

1. a hard, iridescent substance that forms the inner layer of certain mollusk shells, used for making buttons, beads, etc.; nacre.

---

adjective

1. of or having the qualities of mother-of-pearl, as being iridescent or pearly.

   mother-of-pearl buttons.

mother-of-pearl British  

noun

1. Also called: nacre.  a hard iridescent substance, mostly calcium carbonate, that forms the inner layer of the shells of certain molluscs, such as the oyster. It is used to make buttons, inlay furniture, etc

---

mother-of-pearl Scientific  

1. The hard, smooth, pearly layer on the inside of certain seashells, such as abalones and certain oysters. It is used to make buttons and jewelry.

2. Also called nacre

---

Etymology

Origin of mother-of-pearl

1500–10; compare Italian madreperla, obsolete French mère perle

Explanation

Mother-of-pearl is a glowing, pearlescent material that's used to make jewelry and ornaments. Mother-of-pearl comes from the inside of oyster and abalone shells. The iridescent mother-of-pearl that comes from shell linings also covers the outsides of pearls — and while all shells have a version of this material inside them, only in certain cases is it so strikingly beautiful. The scientific word for this substance is nacre. The name mother-of-pearl probably comes from a nearly obsolete meaning of mother, "scrum, dregs or leftover filth."

Example Sentences

Mother of pearl is the inner layer of several sorts of shell, and in some cases the matrix of the pearl.

From The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing A Manual of Ready Reference by Triemens, Joseph

Mother of pearl and ivory inlaid work decorate the interior, but it was so dark the beauties were lost to me, but we are not insensible to the vile uncleanliness, for that is paramount.

From My Trip Around the World August, 1895-May, 1896 by Hunt, Eleonora