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Purl

 - 5 dictionary results

purl

1[purl]
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1. to knit with a reverse stitch.
2. to finish with loops or a looped edging.
–noun
3. 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).
4. one of a series of small loops along the edge of lace braid.
5. thread made of twisted gold or silver wire.
Also, pearl.


Origin:
1520–30; var. of obs. or dial. pirl to twist (threads, etc.) into a cord

purl

2[purl]
–verb (used without object)
1. to flow with curling or rippling motion, as a shallow stream does over stones.
2. to flow with a murmuring sound.
3. to pass in a manner or with a sound likened to this.
–noun
4. the action or sound of purling.
5. a circle or curl made by the motion of water; ripple; eddy.

Origin:
1545–55; orig. uncert.; akin to Norw purla to bubble up, gush
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Purl
purl 1   (pûrl)   
intr.v.   purled, purl·ing, purls
To flow or ripple with a murmuring sound.
n.  The sound made by rippling water.

[Probably of Scandinavian origin.]
purl 2 also pearl   (pûrl)   
v.   purled also pearled, purl·ing also pearl·ing, purls also pearls

v.   tr.
  1. To knit (yarn) with a purl stitch.

  2. To edge or finish (a handkerchief, for example) with lace or embroidery.

v.   intr.
  1. To do knitting with a purl stitch.

  2. To edge or finish with lace or embroidery.

n.  
  1. Abbr. p. Inversion of a knit stitch; purl stitch.

  2. A decorative edging of lace or embroidery.

  3. Gold or silver wire used in embroidery.


[Origin unknown.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

purl  (v.)
"knit with inverted stitches," 1825; earlier "to embroider with gold or silver thread" (1526), from M.E. pirlyng "revolving, twisting," of unknown origin. The two senses usually are taken as one word, but this is not certain.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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