different between pirl vs pirn

English

Etymology

The verb is from the 16th century. Origin uncertain; related to purl, pirn, prill (OED; more at pern, preen).The noun was derived from the verb in the 19th century.

Verb

pirl (third-person singular simple present pirls, present participle pirling, simple past and past participle pirled)

1. (transitive) To twist or wind, especially into a cord or braid etc.
2. (intransitive) To ripple or swirl, especially of water.
3. (transitive) To cause to revolve or spin.

Noun

pirl (plural pirls)

1. A ripple; a twist or curl.

Anagrams

• -pril, LRIP

English

Alternative forms

• pern

Etymology

Perhaps from prin (“twig, shoot”), variant of prene (“spike, nail”), from Old English preon, from Proto-Germanic *preunaz (“knitting needle”).

Noun

pirn (plural pirns)

1. A cone-shaped spool or bobbin on which thread or yarn is wound, used most often for weaving.
2. The amount of thread wound on a shuttle or reel.

Verb

pirn (third-person singular simple present pirns, present participle pirning, simple past and past participle pirned)

1. To wind yarn onto a pirn, usually by means of a pirn winder.

References

• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “prin”, in Online Etymology Dictionary

Anagrams

• prin

Estonian

Etymology

From German Birne.

Noun

pirn (genitive pirni, partitive pirni)

1. pear (fruit)
2. light bulb

Declension

Derived terms

• pirnipuu