Definition of Purl (Verb)

The word knit as a verb has meanings that go beyond the act of knitting with yarn. I was curious if the same is the case for "purl."

transitive verb

• to embroider with gold or silver thread
• to edge or border with gold or silver embroider
• to knit in purl stitch

intransitive verb

• to do knitting in purl stitch
  

I never knew that purl was an embroidery term. But it seems like this verb hasn't come to have as many meanings as knit.

Isn't it interesting that the word purl predates the word knit by 70 years (1526 for purl, 1596 for knit)?

Definition - Purl (noun)

I wanted to explore the definition of the word purl because knit has so many meanings. Let's look at purl as a noun.

Definition of PURL

• gold or silver thread or wire for embroidering or edging
• the intertwisting of thread that knots a stitch usually along an edge
• purl stitch
  

I think it is interesting that knit (as the kind that is relevant to this blog) is giving a real descriptive definition for the craft, where as purl only describes the stitch with the word. Not a very illuminating definition!

Definition of Knit (verb)

Let's take a look at the word knit in verb form.

Transitive verb

• chiefly dialect : to tie together
• to link firmly or closely, knitted my hands
• to cause to grow together, knit a fractured bone
• to contract into wrinkles, knitted her brow
• to form by interlacing yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles

Intransitive verb

• to make knitted fabrics or objects
• to become compact
  
• to grow together
  
• to become drawn together

I think that the definition (besides the practice of knitting itself) "to cause to grow together" is the most interesting. In looking at science knitting articles, I have found the word used a lot in cases with broken bones, so the example found in the dictionary is fitting.

Definition of Knit (noun)

Here at KPOTD, I am searching many sources for knitting related topics. As I've been dealing with knitting used differently in scientific journals, it occurred to me that I should look at the official definition of knit.

Now the word knit as a noun doesn't have any surprising definitions (1: Knit Stitch, 2: Knit Fabric) although I found it interesting that the word itself was reused in the definition! The interesting thing from this dictionary page was the "First Known Use" of the word Knit... in 1596. I wonder where this came from!

As always, if you can aid me in my research, please use the KPOTD submission form.