Purl

[purl] /pɜrl/

verb (used with or without object)
1.
to knit with a reverse stitch.
2.
to finish with loops or a looped edging.
noun
3.
a basic stitch in knitting, the reverse of the knit, formed by pulling a loop of the working yarn back through an existing stitch and then slipping that stitch off the needle.
Compare (def 11).
4.
one of a series of small loops along the edge of lace braid.
5.
thread made of twisted gold or silver wire.
[purl] /pɜrl/
verb (used without object)
1.
to flow with curling or rippling motion, as a shallow stream does over stones.
2.
to flow with a murmuring sound.
3.
to pass in a manner or with a sound likened to this.
noun
4.
the action or sound of purling.
5.
a circle or curl made by the motion of water; ripple; eddy.
/pɜːl/
noun
1.
Also called purl stitch. a knitting stitch made by doing a plain stitch backwards
2.
a decorative border, as of lace
3.
gold or silver wire thread
verb
4.
to knit (a row or garment) in purl stitch
5.
to edge (something) with a purl
/pɜːl/
verb
1.
(intransitive) (of a stream, etc) to flow with a gentle curling or rippling movement and a murmuring sound
noun
2.
a curling movement of water; eddy
3.
a murmuring sound, as of a shallow stream
v.

“knit with inverted stitches,” 1825; earlier “embroider with gold or silver thread” (1520s), probably from Middle English pirlyng “revolving, twisting,” of unknown origin. The two senses usually are taken as one word, but even this is not certain. Klein suggests a source in Italian pirolare “to twirl,” from pirolo “top.” As a noun, from late 14c. as “bordering, frills,” 1530s as “twisted thread of gold and silver.”

“flow with a murmuring sound,” 1580s, imitative, perhaps from a Scandinavian language. Related: Purled; purling.