purr

Verb

purr (third-person singular simple present purrs, present participle purring, simple past and past participle purred)

1. (intransitive) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented or in certain other conditions.
   • There was no one at home but a black cat, who was sitting quite content and purring on the hearth[.]1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 278
2. (transitive) To say (something) in a throaty, seductive manner.
   • "This is Cindy," she purred again, flashing a smile of perfect white teeth surrounded by full red lips.2008, C. E. Osborne, Black Gold Death in the Sun, page 12
3. (intransitive) To make a vibrating throaty sound, as from pleasure.
   • He purred like a kitten when she massaged his neck.
4. (intransitive) To spend time enjoying and expressing pleasure (over something); to coo; to enthuse.
   • No woman receiving her first mink would ever put it directly into storage. She would try it on and purr over it.1971, Donald J. Sobol, More Two-Minute Mysteries, page 36
5. (intransitive) To make a low and consistent rumbling sound.
   • Beverly passed the city limits sign with the Porsche's motor purring contentedly after its two hundred and fifty-mile romp.2001, E. C. Craver, Last Reunion, page 159

Noun

purr (plural purrs)

1. The vibrating sound made by a cat in its throat when contented.
   • Instead, the tiger looked around, and gave a purr, and then a growl. What did that mean? The man could not tell. Then the tiger just flung upon the man some of the sand from the side of the hollow.1918, Sarath Kumar Ghosh, The wonders of the jungle - Volume 2, page 113
2. A throaty, seductive sound of pleasure made by a person.
   • The trill of her purr echoed inside his mouth when he kissed her again. Clutching at his shirt, her fingers traveled the muscles in his back.2006, Brenda Williamson, Wolverton Blood, page 53
3. The low consistent rumble made by an engine at slow speed
   • I sat still in the car and listened to the soft purr of the engine and my beating heart. Then slowly, and as silently as possible, I drove the car back to camp.1997, Susan Wood, A Fly in Amber, page 191

Interjection

1. Vibrating sound made by a cat.