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definitions

purl

1

or pearl

[purl]
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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

  1. purkinje cell,
  2. purkinje fiber,
  3. purkinje layer,
  4. purkinje shift,
  5. purkinje's figures,
  6. purler,
  7. purlieu,
  8. purlin,
  9. purlin plate,
  10. purloin

Origin of purl

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

purl

2
[purl]

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for purl

British Dictionary definitions for purl

purl

1

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
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
Word Origin and History for purl
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper