Crossword Genius

Pearl's maternal parent (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

nacre

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This might be a double definition.

'pearl's' is the first definition.
(nacre is another name for mother-of-pearl)

'maternal parent' is the second definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for nacre that I've seen before include "Mother-of-pearl from shellfish" , "Mother of pearl" , "valuable material" , "inside of shell" , "Mother-of-pearl - crane (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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