seed pearl

American  

noun

1. a pearl weighing less than ¼ grain.

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seed pearl British  

noun

1. a tiny pearl weighing less than a quarter of a grain

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Etymology

Origin of seed pearl

First recorded in 1545–55

Example Sentences

Her eyes are two diamond sparks, melted into lustre; and her teeth, seed pearl, lying between rubies.

From Thaddeus of Warsaw by Porter, Jane

In a few minutes I had seventy-three just such pearls, besides a quantity of seed pearl.

From Afloat and Ashore A Sea Tale by Cooper, James Fenimore

The king of this country is an idolater; he uses another dress, which reaches from his head to his feet, full of gold rings and jewellery and seed pearl.

From A Description of the Coasts of East Africa and Malabar in the Beginning of the Sixteenth Century by Barbosa, Duarte

There is much rhubarb in this country, and much musk, very fine silver, seed pearl, and pearls that are not very round.

From A Description of the Coasts of East Africa and Malabar in the Beginning of the Sixteenth Century by Barbosa, Duarte

Each bivalve is a lottery ticket; it may contain a gem worthy of place in a monarch's crown, or be a seed pearl with a mercantile value of only a few rupees.

From East of Suez Ceylon, India, China and Japan by Penfield, Frederic Courtland