Dictionary.com

purl

1

or pearl

[ purl ]
/ pɜrl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR purl ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with or without object)

to knit with a reverse stitch.
to finish with loops or a looped edging.

noun

a basic stitch in knitting, the reverse of the knit, formed by pulling a loop of the working yarn back through an existing stitch and then slipping that stitch off the needle.Compare knit (def. 11).
one of a series of small loops along the edge of lace braid.
thread made of twisted gold or silver wire.

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Origin of purl

1
First recorded in 1520–30; variant of obsolete or dial. pirl to twist (threads, etc.) into a cord

Words nearby purl

Purkinje cell, Purkinje fiber, Purkinje layer, Purkinje's figures, Purkinje shift, purl, purler, purlieu, purlin, purlin plate, purloin

Definition for purl (2 of 2)

purl2
[ purl ]
/ pɜrl /

verb (used without object)

to flow with curling or rippling motion, as a shallow stream does over stones.
to flow with a murmuring sound.
to pass in a manner or with a sound likened to this.

noun

the action or sound of purling.
a circle or curl made by the motion of water; ripple; eddy.

Origin of purl

2
1545–55; origin uncertain; akin to Norwegian purla to bubble up, gush
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to purl

sew, bind, unite, mend, fasten, weave, crochet, splash, lick, moan, growl, purr, babble, whisper, stammer, burble, mutter, hum, utter, mumble

Example sentences from the Web for purl

British Dictionary definitions for purl (1 of 2)

purl1
/ (pɜːl) /

noun

Also called: purl stitch a knitting stitch made by doing a plain stitch backwards
a decorative border, as of lace
gold or silver wire thread

verb

to knit (a row or garment) in purl stitch
to edge (something) with a purl
Also (for senses 2, 3, 5): pearl

Word Origin for purl

C16: from dialect pirl to twist into a cord

British Dictionary definitions for purl (2 of 2)

purl2
/ (pɜːl) /

verb

(intr) (of a stream, etc) to flow with a gentle curling or rippling movement and a murmuring sound

noun

a curling movement of water; eddy
a murmuring sound, as of a shallow stream

Word Origin for purl

C16: related to Norwegian purla to bubble
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012