English

Alternative forms

• thurl

Noun

thirl ‎(plural thirls)

1. (archaic or dialectal) A hole, aperture, especially a nostril.

Etymology 2

From Middle English thirlen, thurlen, thorlen, from Old English þyrlian, þyrelian ‎(“to make a hole through, pierce through, perforate; make hollow, excavate; make vain”), from the noun (see above).

Verb

thirl ‎(third-person singular simple present thirls, present participle thirling, simple past and past participle thirled)

1. To pierce, perforate, penetrate.
2. (obsolete) To drill or bore.

Derived terms

• nostril
• thirlable
• thrill

Etymology 3

Origin uncertain. Perhaps a blend of throw +‎ hurl.

Verb

thirl ‎(third-person singular simple present thirls, present participle thirling, simple past and past participle thirled)

1. (obsolete) To throw (a projectile).
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essayes, London: Edward Blount, OCLC 946730821, II.8:

     And many Authours doe in this manner wound the protection of their cause, by over-rashly running against that which they take hold-of, thirling [transl. lanceant] such darts at their enemies, that might with much more advantage be cast at them.