Lexic.us

Definition of Nacre

1. Noun. The iridescent internal layer of a mollusk shell.

Definition of Nacre

1. n. A pearly substance which lines the interior of many shells, and is most perfect in the mother-of-pearl. [Written also nacker and naker.] See Pearl, and Mother-of- pearl.

Definition of Nacre

1. Noun. (obsolete) A shellfish which contains mother-of-pearl. (defdate 16th-19th c.) ¹

2. Noun. A pearly substance which lines the interior of many shells; mother-of-pearl. (defdate from 17th c.) ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Nacre

1. the pearly internal layer of certain shells [n -S] : NACRED, NACREOUS [adj]

Medical Definition of Nacre

1. A pearly substance which lines the interior of many shells, and is most perfect in the mother-of-pearl. Alternative forms: nacker and naker] See Pearl, and Mother-of-pearl. Origin: F, cf. Sp. Nacara, nacar, It. Nacchera, naccaro, LL. Nacara, nacrum; of Oriental origin, cf. Ar. Nakir hollowed. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Nacre

Literary usage of Nacre

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Microscope: And Its Revelations by William Benjamin Carpenter (1856)
"It will usually be found that the nacre-membrane covering some of these horny plates will remain in an undisturbed condition ; and their surfaces then ..."

2. Evenings at the Microscope: Or, Researches Among the Minuter Organs and by Philip Henry Gosse (1883)
"... the property of reflecting rainbow-like colours, often with great delicacy and splendour; and this is termed nacre, or familiarly " mother-of-pearl. ..."

3. Evenings at the Microscope: Or, Researches Among the Munuter Organs and by Philip Henry Gosse (1896)
"When a piece of nacre is carefully examined, it becomes evident that the lines are ... And thus the appearance of a section of nacre is such as to have been ..."

4. Descriptive and Illustrated Catalogue of the Histological Series Contained by John Quekett (1850)
"Pearls composed of nacre and prismatic cellular structure. Az 10. A horizontal section of a Pearl, exhibiting a central portion about £th of an inch in ..."

5. A Conchological Dictionary of the British Islands by William Turton (1819)
"nacre. Shell with two valves, gaping at the larger end and fixed at the other by a ... Great nacre. Pinna laevis. Donovan, pi. 152. Shell nearly triangular ..."

6. Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms by Frederic Sturges Allen (1920)
"Antonyms: see BOTTOM, PLATEAU. pearl, n. 1. margarite (archaic); see DROP. 2. nacre (learned or lech.). pediment, n. frontal; spec, frontispiece, ..."

Other Resources: