Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Purl
Purl
,Verb.
T.
To decorate with fringe or embroidery.
“Nature’s cradle more enchased and purled.” B. Jonson.
Purl
,Noun.
1.
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. Sir P. Sidney.
2.
An inversion of stitches in knitting, which gives to the work a ribbed or waved appearance.
Purl stitch
. Same as , 2.
Purl
, Noun.
Purl
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Purled
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Purling
.] [Cf. Sw.
porla
, and E. pur
to murmur as a cat.] 1.
To run swiftly round, as a small stream flowing among stones or other obstructions; to eddy; also, to make a murmuring sound, as water does in running over or through obstructions.
Swift o'er the rolling pebbles, down the hills,
Louder and louder
Louder and louder
purl
the falling rills. Pope.
2.
To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl; to mantle.
thin winding breath which
purled
up to the sky. Shakespeare
1.
A circle made by the notion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.
Whose stream an easy breath doth seem to blow,
Which on the sparkling gravel runs in
As though the waves had been of silver curls.
Which on the sparkling gravel runs in
purles
,As though the waves had been of silver curls.
Drayton.
2.
A gentle murmur, as that produced by the running of a liquid among obstructions;
as, the
. purl
of a brook3.
[Perh. from F.
perler
, v. See Purl
to mantle.] Malt liquor, medicated or spiced; formerly, ale or beer in which wormwood or other bitter herbs had been infused, and which was regarded as tonic; at present, hot beer mixed with gin, sugar, and spices.
“Drank a glass of purl to recover appetite.” Addison.
“Drinking hot purl, and smoking pipes.” Dickens.
4.
(Zool.)
A tern.
[Prov. Eng.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Purl
PURL
,Noun.
1.
An embroidered and puckered border.2.
A kind of edging for bone-lace.PURL
,Noun.
PURL
,Noun.
PURL
,Verb.
I.
1.
To murmur, as a small stream flowing among stones or other obstructions, which occasion a continued series of broken sounds. It is applied only to small streams. Large streams running in like manner, are said to roar. In descriptions of rural scenery, the poets seldom omit a purling brook or stream. My flowery theme,
A painted mistress or a purling stream.
2.
To flow or run with a murmuring sound. Around th' adjoining brook that purls along
The vocal grove, now fretting o'er a rock.
PURL
,Verb.
T.
PURL
,Noun.