purr
[pur]
/pɜr/
verb (used without object)
1.
to utter a low, continuous, murmuring sound expressive of contentment or pleasure, as a cat does.
2.
(of things) to make a sound suggestive of the purring of a cat:
The new motor of the car purred.
verb (used with object)
3.
to express by or as if by purring.
noun
4.
the low, vibrating sound made by a cat by the contracting of the laryngeal muscles and the diaphragm as it breathes.
5.
a sound resembling this.
6.
the act of purring.
Also,
pur
.
Origin
1595-1605;
imitative
Related forms
purringly,
adverb
Can be confused
per
,
purr
(see usage note at
per
)
Examples from the web for
purr
Suppose a collapse in rubbed
purr
, in rubbed
purr
get.
There are cats who will climb on any one and
purr
with delight.
Too often the soothing rattle-and-
purr
of their air-conditioners fades into sweaty silence.
His technique and elegance should make any cricket fan
purr
.
The mumble of humility masks the
purr
of self-satisfaction.
Compared with the roar of chemical rockets, electric propulsion produces only a gentle
purr
.
House cats employ a vocal repertoire that extends from a
purr
to a screech.
The sweet
purr
promised one of our precious vices-coffee.
Evil has arrived there in a sleek, fleshy package with a baritone
purr
.
The fact that a previous study found that cats with paralyzed larynges couldn't
purr
was consistent with this idea.
British Dictionary definitions for
purr
purr
/
pɜː
/
verb
1.
(
intransitive
) (esp of cats) to make a low vibrant sound, usually considered as expressing pleasure, etc
2.
(
transitive
) to express (pleasure, etc) by this sound
noun
3.
a purring sound
Word Origin
C17: of imitative origin; compare French
ronronner
to purr, German
schnurren,
Dutch
snorren
Word Origin and History for
purr
v.
1610s, of imitative origin. Related:
Purred
;
purring
. As a noun from c.1600.