perlemoen, noun
/ˈpɛː(r)ləmʊn/, /ˈpɜː(r)ləmʊn/
- Forms:
- Show more Formerly also paarlemoen, paarl lemoen, paarlmoer, perel-le-moen, perelomen, perl-le-moen.
- Origin:
- Afrikaans, Dutch, Middle DutchShow more Afrikaans pêrel pearl + lemoen orange (by folk-etymology), also (obsolete) perlemoer, ‘womb-of-pearl’ or ‘mother-of-pearl’ (referring to the pearlised layer inside the shell), from Dutch paarelmoer, parelmoer, perlemoer (dialect parlemoen, peerlemoen, perelmoen) from Middle Dutch perlenmoeder ‘mother-of pearl’, ‘pearl-producing oyster’.
The abalone, Haliotus midae of the Haliotidae, a large, edible, univalve shellfish having a shell lined with mother-of-pearl; klipkous. Also attributive.
1853 L. Pappe Synopsis of Edible Fishes 12Amongst the mollusca, none are more eagerly caught, and none have such a deserved reputation as Haliotis Midae Lin. (Klipkous; sea-ear), and a species of Stomatia (Paarlmoer).
1992 Smit & Fulton Complete S. Afr. Bk of Food & Cookery 306The beautiful single ear-shaped shell of the perlemoen is lined with mother of pearl, which is used to make buttons. The tough, fleshy mollusc in the shell..has a delicious clam-like flavour.
The abalone, Haliotus midae of the Haliotidae, a large, edible, univalve shellfish having a shell lined with mother-of-pearl; klipkous. Also attributive.
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