purl

views updated May 18 2018

purl1 / pərl/ • adj. denoting or relating to a knitting stitch made by putting the needle through the front of the stitch from right to left. Compare with knit.• n. a purl stitch.• v. [tr.] knit with a purl stitch: knit one, purl one.purl2 • v. [intr.] (of a stream or river) flow with a swirling motion and babbling sound.• n. [in sing.] a motion or sound of this kind.

purl

views updated May 23 2018

purl1 cord made of twisted gold or silver wire; † pleat, frill XVI; loop on the edge of lace, etc. XVII; inversion of stitches in knitting producing a ribbed appearance XIX.
So vb. XVI. orig. pyrle, pirle, of unkn. orig. The last sense of the sb. may be a different word.

purl

views updated Jun 11 2018

purl3 revolve, whirl round XVIII; turn head over heels XIX. perh. identical with PURL1.
Hence purler headlong fall, swingeing blow. XIX.

purl

views updated Jun 27 2018

purl Old English winter drink; warmed ale with bitters and brandy or milk, sugar, and spirit.

Purl

views updated Jun 08 2018

Purl

a small rill in which waters are in a whirl of agitation.

Examples : purl of her sweet breath, 1850; of lace; of water, 1552; of youthful blood, 1650; purls flowering from the fountain of life, 1650.

purl

views updated May 21 2018

purl2 (of water) whirl with a murmuring sound. XVI.
So sb. † small rill XVI; purling motion or sound XVII. prob. imit.; cf. Norw. purla bubble up, gush out, Sw. dial. porla ripple, gurgle.

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