Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

thirl

[thurl]
verb (used with object) British Dialect.
  1. to pierce.
  2. to thrill.
Show More

Origin of thirl

before 1000; Middle English thirlen, Old English thyrlian, derivative of thyrel hole. See nostril
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for thirl

thirl1

verb
  1. (tr) dialect
    1. to bore or drill
    2. to thrill
Show More

Word Origin

Old English thyrelian, from thyrel hole; see nostril

thirl2

verb
  1. (tr) mainly Scot to enslave; bind
Show More

Word Origin

C16: variant of earlier thrill thrall
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