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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)

  1. A particular stitch in knitting; an inversion of stitches giving the work a ribbed or waved appearance.
  2. The edge of lace trimmed with loops.
  3. 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)

  1. To decorate with fringe or embroidered edge
  2. (knitting) an inverted stitch producing ribbing etc

Etymology 2

from Middle English pirle (“whirligig”), Middle Italian pirla (“whipping top”)

Noun

purl (plural purls)

  1. a heavy or headlong fall; an upset.
Verb

purl (third-person singular simple present purls, present participle purling, simple past and past participle purled)

  1. (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)

  1. (intransitive) To flow with a murmuring sound in swirls and eddies.
  2. To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl; to mantle.
Noun

purl (plural purls)

  1. (Britain, dialectal) A circle made by the motion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.
  2. (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)

  1. (archaic) Ale or beer spiced with wormwood or other bitter herbs, regarded as a tonic.
  2. (archaic) Hot beer mixed with gin, sugar, and spices.

Etymology 5

Noun

purl (plural purls)

  1. (Britain, dialectal) A tern.

Results 483 Words with the letters PURL

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9 letter words with the letters PURL 
8 letter words with the letters PURL 
7 letter words with the letters PURL 
6 letter words with the letters PURL 
BURLAP 14
GULPER 13
LARRUP 11
LUMPER 14
PLEURA 11
PLURAL 12
PULERS 11
PULLER 12
PULPER 14
PULSAR 11
PULSER 11
PURELY 13
PURFLE 14
PURLED 12
PURLIN 12
PURPLE 14
PURPLY 16
RUMPLE 14
RUMPLY 16
SLURPS 11
UPCURL 15
5 letter words with the letters PURL 
PULER 10
PURLS 10
SLURP 10
4 letter words with the letters PURL 
PURL 9
3 letter words with the letters PURL 
PUL 8
PUR 7
2 letter words with the letters PURL 
UP 6

You can also try words with the phrase PURL, words starting with the letters PURL, or words ending in the letters PURL.