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.
Nearby words
Origin of purl
1First recorded in 1520–30; variant of obsolete or dial. pirl to twist (threads, etc.) into a cord
Definition for purl (2 of 2)
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
British Dictionary definitions for purl (1 of 2)
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
British Dictionary definitions for purl (2 of 2)
purl
2/ (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