thurl: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
ObsoleteHistorical / Archaic / Dialectal
Quick answer
What does “thurl” mean?
A now-obsolete English verb meaning to pierce or to cut through.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A now-obsolete English verb meaning to pierce or to cut through.
Historically, it could refer specifically to the practice of cutting the hamstring of an animal to disable it or to the process of piercing the cask of a wine or beer barrel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern difference; the word is equally obsolete in both varieties.
Connotations
In historical context, carries connotations of butchery, hunting, or cooperage.
Frequency
Frequency is effectively zero in contemporary corpora for both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “thurl” in a Sentence
[Agent] thurls [Patient] (with [Instrument])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thurl” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old text described how to thurl an ox to prevent its escape.
- The cooper would thurl the cask to draw the ale.
American English
- Frontiersmen might thurl a bear if cornered.
- He thirled the wine barrel with a specialized auger.
adverb
British English
- (Not attested as an adverb)
American English
- (Not attested as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not attested as a standard adjective)
American English
- (Not attested as a standard adjective)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or linguistic research.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Occurs in historical descriptions of butchery or cooperage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thurl”
- Using it as a modern synonym for 'throw'.
- Confusing it with 'thrall' (a slave).
- Spelling it as 'thirl' or 'thurle'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic and obsolete. It was used in Middle and Early Modern English.
No, it would not be understood. Use modern synonyms like 'pierce', 'bore', or 'hamstring'.
'Nostril' derives from Old English 'nosthyrl', meaning 'nose-hole' ('nosu' + 'thyrl', a hole). 'Thyrl' is related to 'thurl', both coming from a root meaning 'to pierce' or 'a hole'.
'Thirl' survives in some Scottish and Northern English dialects, often in place names or with meanings related to 'bondage' or 'freedom' (from a different, but related, etymological branch), not the 'pierce' meaning.
A now-obsolete English verb meaning to pierce or to cut through.
Thurl is usually historical / archaic / dialectal in register.
Thurl: in British English it is pronounced /θɜːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /θɜrl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(none in modern usage)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'THRust' and 'hURL' a spear to pierce something – you 'THURL' it.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSTRUCTION IS A BARREL TO BE PIERCED; DISABLEMENT IS CUTTING A TENDON.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of the archaic verb 'to thurl'?