1. Someone who is special and unique: Marina's friends described her as a pearl among women because she was always gentle and kind.
2. An object frequently used as a gem which is formed within the shell of a bivalve or mollusk as the result of the production of layers of secretion which encase an irritating foreign object and is often colored and lustrous: Aurora discovered a pearl in an oyster while she was eating some of them at dinner.
3. A gem which is made from the covered irritant in a bivalve: Francisca wore a necklace of a large pearl and earrings with a beautiful pearl on each one.
4. Something that is cylindrical and luminescent: Dew drops, each one of which was like a pearl, were glistening on the blades of grass as the sun came out.

To embroider or to stitch with gold and silver thread: Greg's sister decided to purl a design on her jacket.

1. A swirling stream or gentle murmur: When Aimee was hiking in the meadow, she came across a purl that looked fresh and inviting, so she took off her boots and soaked her feet.

Dennis could hear the gentle purl of the birds as they were settling in the bushes for the night.

2. A stitch used in knitting, often used in conjunction with a knit stitch to create a smooth surface: Marina's teacher recited "knit one, purl one", in hopes that she would learn to knit properly.