PURLINGS

Noun

purlings

plural of purling

Anagrams

• Spurling, slurping, spurling

Source: Wiktionary


PURLING

Purl"ing, n. Etym: [See 3d Purl.]

Definition: The motion of a small stream running among obstructions; also, the murmur it makes in so doing.

PURL

Purl, v. t. Etym: [Contr. fr. purfile, purfle. See Purfle.]

Definition: To decorate with fringe or embroidery. "Nature's cradle more enchased and purled." B. Jonson.

Purl, n.

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 withpurl 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 Purl, n., 2.

Purl, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Purled; p. pr. & vb. n. Purling.] Etym: [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 purl the falling rills. Pope.

2. Etym: [Perh. fr. F. perler to pearl, to bead. See Pearl, v. & n.]

Definition: To rise in circles, ripples, or undulations; to curl; to mantle. thin winding breath which purled up to the sky. Shak.

Purl, n. Etym: [See 3d Purl.]

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 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 brook.

3. Etym: [Perh. from F.perler, v. See Purl to mantle.]

Definition: 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. (Zoöl.)

Definition: A tern. [Prov. Eng.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

4 February 2025

DISKETTE

(noun) a small plastic magnetic disk enclosed in a stiff envelope with a radial slit; used to store data or programs for a microcomputer; “floppy disks are noted for their relatively slow speed and small capacity and low price”


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Coffee Trivia

The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.

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