purl

purl

purl¹ [pʉrl]

vi.

[< ? Scand, as in Norw purla, to ripple]

1. to move in ripples or with a murmuring sound

2. to move in eddies; swirl

n.

1. a purling stream or rill

2. the murmuring sound of purling water

purl² [pʉrl]

vt., vi.

[earlier pirl, prob. < the n.]

1. PURFLE

2. to edge (lace) with a chain of small loops

3. to form (one or more inverted stitches) in knitting: see KNIT

n.

[earlier pyrle < a Romance source as in It (Venetian) pirlo, a joining of warp and woof by twisting together the threads < echoic base * pirl, to twirl]

1. twisted metal thread, as of gold or silver, used in embroidery

2. a small loop, or a chain of loops, made on the edge of lace

3. an inversion of stitches in knitting to produce a more varied texture: also purling