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purl² also pearl

(pûrl)

v. purled, purl·ing, purls also pearled or pearl·ing or pearls

v.tr.

1. To knit (yarn) with a purl stitch.

2. To edge or finish (a handkerchief, for example) with lace or embroidery.

v.intr.

1. To do knitting with a purl stitch.

2. To edge or finish with lace or embroidery.

1. Abbr. p. Inversion of a knit stitch; purl stitch.

2. A decorative edging of lace or embroidery.

3. Gold or silver wire used in embroidery.

[Origin unknown.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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