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Definition purl
Etymology 1
Unknown; apparently related to Scots and dialect pirl ("twist, ripple, whirl, spin"), and possibly to Older Scots pyrl ("thrust or poke at"). Compare Venetian pirlo, an embellishment where the woven threads are twisted together. May be unrelated to purfle, though the meanings are similar.
Noun
purl (plural purls)
- A particular stitch in knitting; an inversion of stitches giving the work a ribbed or waved appearance.
- The edge of lace trimmed with loops.
- An embroidered and puckered border; a hem or fringe, often of gold or silver twist; also, a pleat or fold, as of a band.
Verb
purl (third-person singular simple present purls, present participle purling, simple past and past participle purled)
- To decorate with fringe or embroidered edge
- (knitting) an inverted stitch producing ribbing etc
Etymology 2
from Middle English pirle (“whirligig”), Middle Italian pirla (“whipping top”)
Noun
purl (plural purls)
- a heavy or headlong fall; an upset.
Verb
purl (third-person singular simple present purls, present participle purling, simple past and past participle purled)
- (archaic) To upset, to spin, capsize, fall heavily, fall headlong.
Etymology 3
From Old Norse purla (“to babble”)
Verb
purl (third-person singular simple present purls, present participle purling, simple past and past participle purled)
- (intransitive) To flow with a murmuring sound in swirls and eddies.
- To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl; to mantle.
Noun
purl (plural purls)
- (Britain, dialectal) A circle made by the motion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.
- (Britain, dialectal) A gentle murmuring sound, such as that produced by the running of a liquid among obstructions.
Etymology 4
Possibly from the pearl-like appearance caused by bubbles on the surface of the liquid.
Noun
purl (uncountable)
- (archaic) Ale or beer spiced with wormwood or other bitter herbs, regarded as a tonic.
- (archaic) Hot beer mixed with gin, sugar, and spices.
Etymology 5
Noun
purl (plural purls)
- (Britain, dialectal) A tern.
Results 483 Words with the letters PURL
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