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

verb

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

purl

²

/ pɜːl /

verb

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

noun

1. a curling movement of water; eddy
2. a murmuring sound, as of a shallow stream

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”

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

Example Sentences

For instance, a fabric made of just one stitch type, such as a knit or purl, tends to curl at the edges.

From Science News

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• babble
• burble
• growl
• gurgle
• hum
• moan
• mumble
• mutter
• purr
• stammer
• utter
• whisper