purl
1or pearl
[ purl ]
/ pɜrl /
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.
RELATED WORDS
sew, bind, unite, mend, fasten, weave, crochet, splash, lick, moan, growl, purr, babble, whisper, stammer, burble, mutter, hum, utter, mumble
Nearby words
- purkinje cell,
- purkinje fiber,
- purkinje layer,
- purkinje shift,
- purkinje's figures,
- purler,
- purlieu,
- purlin,
- purlin plate,
- purloin
Origin of purl
1First recorded in 1520–30; variant of obsolete or dial. pirl to twist (threads, etc.) into a cord
purl
2[ 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
21545–55; origin uncertain; akin to Norwegian purla to bubble up, gush
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for purl
purl
1/ (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
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
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