purl UK /pɜːl/US /pɝl/noun 8verb 5forms 3 noun8 •A particular stitch in knitting in which the working yarn is pulled through an existing stitch from front to back. •(dialect, UK) A gentle murmuring sound, such as that produced by the running of a liquid among obstructions. •The edge of lace trimmed with loops. •An embroidered and puckered border; a hem or fringe, often of gold or silver twist; also, a pleat or fold, as of a band.A triumphant chariot made of carnation velvet, enriched with purl and pearl. — 1587 •(dialect, UK) A circle made by the motion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.Caisters siluer Lake, / […] / VVhose streame an easie breath doth seeme to blovve; / VVhich on the sparkling grauell runns in purles, / As though the vvaues had been of siluer curles. — 1596 •a heavy or headlong fall; an upset. •(no longer used) Ale or beer spiced with wormwood or other bitter herbs, regarded as a tonic.A double mug of purle. — 1711 •(no longer used) Hot beer mixed with gin, sugar, and spices.Drank a glass of purl to recover appetite. — 1712 verb5 •To use or create a purl stitch or stitches.Knit one, purl two.Stockinette fabric is created by knitting the right-side rows and purling the wrong-side rows. •To flow with a murmuring sound in swirls and eddies.Swift o'er the rolling pebbles, down the hills, / Louder and louder purl the falling rills. — 1715 •To decorate with fringe or embroidered edgeNeedlework purled with gold. •To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl; to mantle.thin winding breath which purled up to the sky — 1594 •(no longer used) To upset, to spin, capsize, fall heavily, fall headlong.The huntsman was purled from his horse. formspurled · purling · purls
