Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pirn

/pɜː(ɹ)n/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.19 in modern English

Syllables: pirn
IPA: /pɜː(ɹ)n/

6

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

1

Syllables

4

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A cone-shaped spool or bobbin on which thread or yarn is wound, used most often for weaving.

noun

The amount of thread wound on a shuttle or reel.

noun

A trouble or difficulty deliberately created.

verb

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

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

""What'll we do with the wee deil?" said she. "I'll work it a pirn," replied the lass."

Etymology

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

Origin

Source language: Old English

Word Breakdown

Root: preon, *preunaz

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

pirns (plural) pern (alternative) pirns (present, singular) pirning (participle, present) pirned (participle, past) pirned (past)

Homonyms

pern

Rhymes With

turn return learn left turn concern burn to burn earn stern fern urn discern

Questions

How do you pronounce pirn?: The recorded pronunciation is /pɜː(ɹ)n/.
What does pirn mean?: A cone-shaped spool or bobbin on which thread or yarn is wound, used most often for weaving.
Where does pirn come from?: It is traced to Old English.

How to pronounce pirn

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “pirn”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/pɜː(ɹ)n/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “pirn”.
Repeat and practice — Say “pirn” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.