- (n.) A tern.
- (n.) An embroidered and puckered border; a hem or fringe, often of gold or silver twist; also, a pleat or fold, as of a band.
- (n.) A circle made by the notion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.
- (n.) 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.
- (n.) A gentle murmur, as that produced by the running of a liquid among obstructions; as, the purl of a brook.
- (v.i.) 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.
- (v.&n.) To rise in circles, ripples or undulations; to curl; to mantle.
- (v.t.) To decorate with fringe or embroidery.
- (n.) An inversion of stitches in knitting, which gives to the work a ribbed or waved appearance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
| APA | Webster's. (2011). purl. Retrieved September 21, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/purl/definitions/2051089 |
| Chicago | Webster's. 2011. "purl" http://smartdefine.org/purl/definitions/2051089 (accessed September 21, 2026). |
| Harvard | Webster's 2011, purl, Smart Define, viewed 21 September, 2026, <http://smartdefine.org/purl/definitions/2051089>. |
| MLA | Webster's. "purl" 27 May 2011. Web. 21 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/purl/definitions/2051089> |