purr
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English
[edit]Etymology
[edit] recorded purring of a cat
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Pronunciation
[edit]Verb
[edit]purr (third-person singular simple present purrs, present participle purring, simple past and past participle purred)
- (intransitive, of a cat) To make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented.
- 1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 278:
- There was no one at home but a black cat, who was sitting quite content and purring on the hearth[.]
- (transitive) To say (something) in a throaty, seductive manner.
- 2008, C. E. Osborne, Black Gold Death in the Sun, page 12:
- "This is Cindy," she purred again, flashing a smile of perfect white teeth surrounded by full red lips.
- (intransitive) To make a vibrating throaty sound, as from pleasure.
- He purred like a kitten when she massaged his neck.
- (intransitive, of an engine) To make a low and consistent rumbling sound.
- 2001, E. C. Craver, Last Reunion, page 159:
- Beverly passed the city limits sign with the Porsche's motor purring contentedly after its two hundred and fifty-mile romp.
Derived terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]of a cat, to make a vibrating sound in the throat
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to speak in a seductive manner
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of an engine: to make a low rumbling sound
Noun
[edit]purr (plural purrs)
- The vibrating sound made by a cat in its throat when contented.
- 1918, Sarath Kumar Ghosh, The wonders of the jungle - Volume 2, page 113:
- Instead, the tiger looked around, and gave a purr, and then a growl. What did that mean? The man could not tell. Then the tiger just flung upon the man some of the sand from the side of the hollow.
- A throaty, seductive sound of pleasure made by a person.
- 2006, Brenda Williamson, Wolverton Blood, page 53:
- The trill of her purr echoed inside his mouth when he kissed her again. Clutching at his shirt, her fingers traveled the muscles in his back.
- The low consistent rumble made by an engine at slow speed
- 1997, Susan Wood, A Fly in Amber, page 191:
- I sat still in the car and listened to the soft purr of the engine and my beating heart. Then slowly, and as silently as possible, I drove the car back to camp.
Derived terms
[edit]Translations
[edit]vibrating sound made by a cat when contented
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Interjection
[edit]purr
Translations
[edit]Translations
See also
[edit]Anagrams
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- Rhymes:English/ɜː(ɹ)
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- en:Animal sounds
- en:Cats