I. ˈpərl, esp before pause or consonant ˈpər.əl; ˈpə̄l, ˈpəil noun
( -s )
Etymology: pirl
1. : gold or silver thread or wire used for embroidering or edging
2. Britain : pearl IV
3.
a. obsolete : a lace frill on a ruff
b. : a ruffled or indented edge (as on a leaf)
4. : purl stitch
5. : the intertwist of thread knotting a stitch usually along an edge
the single purl typical of blanket stitch
the double purl of buttonhole stitch
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1.
a. : to embroider with gold or silver thread
b. : to edge or border with gold or silver embroidery
cloth … powdered with red roses purled with fine gold — Edward Hall
2. Britain : pearl V
3. : to knit (as a garment) in purl stitch
intransitive verb
: to do knitting in purl stitch
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian purla to ripple, Swedish porla
1. : a purling or swirling stream or rill
2.
a. : a gentle murmuring sound
b. : a gentle movement (as of purling water)
IV. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Norwegian purla to ripple, Swedish porla
1. : to run swiftly around (as in ripples or about obstructions) : move in circles or undulations : eddy , swirl , curl
a brook purling over mossy stones
thin winding breath which purled up to the sky — Shakespeare
2. : to make a soft murmuring sound like that of a purling stream
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : an infusion of bitter herbs (as wormwood) in hot malt liquor used formerly as a tonic
2. chiefly Britain : hot beer or ale mixed with gin and sometimes sugar and spices especially for use as a pick-me-up
VI. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: alteration of pirl
intransitive verb
1. chiefly dialect : to spin like a top : whirl , wheel
2. chiefly dialect : to tip over : tumble or plunge forward in a fall (as from a horse) : capsize , upset
transitive verb
: to cause to overturn or take a tumble
VII. noun
( -s )
: a spill that sends one whirling : capsizing, upset