1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a knitting stitch made by putting the needle through the front of the previous stitch and passing the yarn round the back of the needle.
2 a cord of twisted gold or silver wire for bordering.
3 a chain of minute loops; a picot.
4 the ornamental edges of lace, ribbon, etc.
--v.tr. (also absol.) knit with a purl stitch.
Etymology: orig. pyrle, pirle f. Sc. pirl twist: the knitting sense may be f. a different word 2. v. & n.
--v.intr. (of a brook etc.) flow with a swirling motion and babbling sound.
--n. this motion or sound.
Etymology: 16th c.: prob. imit.: cf. Norw. purla bubble up