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View synonyms for purl

purl

1
or pearl

[ purl ]

verb (used with or without object)

  1. Knitting. to knit with a reverse stitch.
  2. to finish with loops or a looped edging.


noun

  1. 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 ).
  2. one of a series of small loops along the edge of lace braid.
  3. thread made of twisted gold or silver wire.

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

  1. the action or sound of purling.
  2. a circle or curl made by the motion of water; a circular ripple; eddy.

purl

1

/ pɜːl /

noun

  1. Also calledpurl stitch a knitting stitch made by doing a plain stitch backwards
  2. a decorative border, as of lace
  3. gold or silver wire thread
“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


verb

  1. to knit (a row or garment) in purl stitch
  2. to edge (something) with a purl
“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

purl

2

/ pɜːl /

verb

  1. intr (of a stream, etc) to flow with a gentle curling or rippling movement and a murmuring sound
“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

noun

  1. a curling movement of water; eddy
  2. a murmuring sound, as of a shallow stream
“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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of purl1

First recorded in 1350–1400 purl 1fordef 5; origin obscure; probably variant of obsolete or dialect pirl “to twist (threads, etc.) into a cord”

Origin of purl2

First recorded in 1545–55; origin uncertain; probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Swedish porla, Norwegian purla “to bubble up, gush”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of purl1

C16: from dialect pirl to twist into a cord

Origin of purl2

C16: related to Norwegian purla to bubble
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Example Sentences

To make an "over" bring the thread before the needle as if to purl, then knit the next stitch plain as usual.

Then change to No. 12 steel needles and do 20 rows in triple rib (knit 3, purl 3) for the belt.

Cast 35 stitches upon each of three needles and knit around 30 times in single rib—that is, knit 1, purl 1, alternately.

Join (W) and work 14 rows even in Stocking st. ending with purl row.

Continue even in Stocking st. until work measures same as Fronts to armhole, ending with purl row.

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Purkinje shiftpurler