purle

Noun

pearl (countable and uncountable, plural pearls)

1. (literally) Nacre; mother-of-pearl.
2. (broadly, literally) A white color inspired by the shade of pearls.
3. (figuratively) Something precious.
   • I see thee compassed with thy kingdom's pearl.c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
4. A capsule of gelatin or similar substance containing liquid for, e.g., medicinal application.
5. A whitish speck or film on the eye.
   • Boast not of your eyes; it is feared you have Balaam's disease, a pearl in your eye, Mammon's prestriction.1641, John Milton, Animadversions upon The Remonstrants Defence Against Smectymnuus, Section III
6. A fish allied to the turbot; the brill.

See all 28 meanings of pearl

Noun (1)

purl (plural purls)

1. A particular stitch in knitting in which the working yarn is pulled through an existing stitch from front to back.
2. The edge of lace trimmed with loops.
3. 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 with purl and pearl.a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London...

Noun (2)

purl (plural purls)

1. a heavy or headlong fall; an upset.

Noun (3)

purl (plural purls)

1. (UK, dialectal) A circle made by the motion of a fluid; an eddy; a ripple.
   • Caiſters ſiluer Lake, / […] / VVhoſe ſtreame an eaſie breath doth ſeeme to blovve; / VVhich on the ſparkling grauell runns in purles, / As though the vvaues had been of ſiluer curles.[1596], Michaell Drayton [i.e., Michael Drayton], Mortimeriados. The Lamentable Ciuell Warres of Edward the Second and the Barrons, London: […] I. R. for Humfry Lownes, […], →OCLC, signature Q, recto
2. (UK, dialectal) A gentle murmuring sound, such as that produced by the running of a liquid among obstructions.
   • the purl of a brook

See all 13 meanings of purl