purl
1or pearl
Knitting. to knit with a reverse stitch.
to finish with loops or a looped edging.
Knitting. 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.
Origin of purl
1Other definitions for purl (2 of 2)
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.
the action or sound of purling.
a circle or curl made by the motion of water; a circular ripple; eddy.
Origin of purl
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use purl in a sentence
The making of the dots or purls before mentioned as picots, is an important feature in bar work.
The Art of Modern Lace Making | The Butterick Publishing Co.It is true that they frequently get most fearful “purls” but their neck-joints appear to be more firmly constructed than ours.
Sporting Scenes amongst the Kaffirs of South Africa | Alfred W. DraysonIt died away in a sobbing murmur, as a deep stream purls and its echo dies in a deeper eddy.
The Bishop of Cottontown | John Trotwood MooreWhy, by the time he's had half a dozen more such purls, he'll leap a six foot fence without shaking a loose rail.
Warwick Woodlands | Henry William Herbert (AKA Frank Forester)The purls of this circle are fastened on to the circles of the next round of the rosette.
Beeton's Book of Needlework | Isabella Beeton
British Dictionary definitions for purl (1 of 2)
/ (pɜːl) /
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
to knit (a row or garment) in purl stitch
to edge (something) with a purl
Origin of purl
1- Also (for senses 2, 3, 5): pearl
British Dictionary definitions for purl (2 of 2)
/ (pɜːl) /
(intr) (of a stream, etc) to flow with a gentle curling or rippling movement and a murmuring sound
a curling movement of water; eddy
a murmuring sound, as of a shallow stream
Origin of purl
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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