pearl morvârid (#) Fr.: perle A secretion consisting mainly of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, produced by various mollusks. M.E. perle, from O.Fr. perle, M.L. perla of unknown origin. Morvârid "pearl;" Mid.Pers. murwârid, murgârid; cf. Sogd. marγārit, marrγārt; Khotanese mrāhe. Gk. margarites "pearl" may be a loanword from Iranian. |