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purl
10 dictionary results for: Purl
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
purl1       [purl] Pronunciation Key
–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]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
purl2       [purl] Pronunciation Key
–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]
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
purl 1       (pûrl)  Pronunciation Key 
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.]

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
purl 2 also pearl       (pûrl)  Pronunciation Key 
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.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
purl

noun
1. gold or silver wire thread 
2. a basic knitting stitch 

verb
1. flow in a circular current, of liquids [syn: eddy
2. make a murmuring sound; "the water was purling" [syn: sough
3. knit with a purl stitch 
4. edge or border with gold or silver embroidery 
5. embroider with gold or silver thread 

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Purl

Purl\, v. t. [Contr. fr. purfile, purfle. See Purfle.] To decorate with fringe or embroidery. "Nature's cradle more enchased and purled." --B. Jonson.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Purl

Purl\, n. 1. An embroidered and puckered border; a hem or fringe, often of gold or silver twist; also, a pleat or fold, as of a band.

A triumphant chariot made of carnation velvet, enriched withpurl and pearl. --Sir P. Sidney.

2. An inversion of stitches in knitting, which gives to the work a ribbed or waved appearance.

Purl stitch. Same as Purl, n., 2.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Purl

Purl\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Purled; p. pr. & vb. n. Purling.] [Cf. Sw. porla, and E. pur to murmur as a cat.]

1. To run swiftly round, as a small stream flowing among stones or other obstructions; to eddy; also, to make a murmuring sound, as water does in running over or through obstructions.

Swift o'er the rolling pebbles, down the hills, Louder and louder purl the falling rills. --Pope.

2. [Perh. fr. F. perler to pearl, to bead. See Pearl, v. & n.] To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl; to mantle.

thin winding breath which purled up to the sky. --Shak.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Purl

Purl\, n. [See 3d Purl.]

1. A circle made by the notion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.

Whose stream an easy breath doth seem to blow, Which on the sparkling gravel runs in purles, As though the waves had been of silver curls. --Drayton.

2. A gentle murmur, as that produced by the running of a liquid among obstructions; as, the purl of a brook.

3. [Perh. from F. perler, v. See Purl to mantle.] Malt liquor, medicated or spiced; formerly, ale or beer in which wormwood or other bitter herbs had been infused, and which was regarded as tonic; at present, hot beer mixed with gin, sugar, and spices. "Drank a glass of purl to recover appetite." --Addison. "Drinking hot purl, and smoking pipes." --Dickens.

4. (Zo["o]l.) A tern. [Prov. Eng.]

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