purl etymology

Etymology:

• Middle English: purlen, purfle
• Old French: purfiler, pourfiler
• Late Latin: purfilare, from Latin: purus (pure) + filare (to spin)

Meaning:

• To embroider or decorate the edge of something with a border or trim.
• To embellish or adorn.

Origin:

The term "purl" originated in the 14th century, referring to the technique of embroidering or sewing a narrow border or trim onto the edge of clothing, tapestries, or other textiles.

The word "purl" is derived from the Latin word "purus" (pure), which was used to describe the fine threads that were used to create the purl stitch. The purl stitch involves passing the thread under the needle instead of over it, resulting in a decorative edge that resembles a woven braid.

Over time, the use of "purl" expanded to include any type of decorative border or trim, regardless of the technique used to create it. Today, the term is commonly used to describe a narrow strip of fabric or lace that is sewn or glued onto the edge of a garment or other object to enhance its appearance.

purl relate terms

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• sough

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• noise

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• flow

  Etymology The word flow comes from the Middle English word flowen which is derived

• wolf

  Etymology Old English wulf Proto Germanic wulfaz Proto Indo European root wĺ̥kʷ

• fowl

  Etymology The word fowl is derived from the Middle English word foul which in turn

• embroider

  Etymology Old French embrouder Medieval Latin brodiare Latin brodere Proto Indo Euro

• knit

  Etymology The word knit comes from the Old English word cnyttan which means to tie