purl
1 of 4noun (1)
ˈpər(-ə)l 
1
: gold or silver thread or wire for embroidering or edging
2
: the intertwisting of thread that knots a stitch usually along an edge
3
: purl stitch
purl
2 of 4verb (1)
purled; purling; purls
transitive verb
1
a
: to embroider with gold or silver thread
b
: to edge or border with gold or silver embroidery
2
: to knit in purl stitch
intransitive verb
: to do knitting in purl stitch
purl
3 of 4noun (2)
1
: a purling or swirling stream or rill
2
: a gentle murmur or movement (as of purling water)
purl
4 of 4verb (2)
purled; purling; purls
intransitive verb
1
: eddy, swirl
2
: to make a soft murmuring sound like that of a purling stream
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English
Noun (2)
perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian purla to ripple
First Known Use
Noun (1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (1)
1518, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun (2)
circa 1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb (2)
circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing purl
purl
verb
as in to swirl
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- swirl
- eddy
- ripple
- gurgle
- bubble
- dribble
- lap
- plash
- wash
- drip
- splash
- guggle
- swoosh
- swish
- trickle
- squirt
- spout
- drop
- jet
- swash
- whish
- gush
- spew
- spurt
- rush
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- stream
- roll
- run
- pour
- lay figure
- lay figures
- lay great emphasis on
- lay great store by
- lay great stress on
- lay great stress/emphasis on
- lay hold of
- lay in
- lay into
- lay it on
- lay it on the line
- lay lord
- lay low
- lay of the land
- lay off
- lay off (of)
- lay off of
- lay on
- lay on the table
- lay one's cards on the table
- lay one's hands on
- lay oneself open
- lay over
- lay plans
- lay preacher