1. to decorate the edge or border of something with an ornamental design
Usage: often used in crafts and musical instrument making

1. an ornamental border or edging, especially on a musical instrument
Usage: commonly refers to the decorative inlay around the edges of violins and guitars

Examples

• The luthier carefully purfled the violin’s top with alternating strips of black and white wood.
• She decided to purfle the wooden box with mother-of-pearl inlay.
• The guitar’s purfle consisted of three thin lines of contrasting wood.
• The antique violin displayed an intricate purfle around its sound holes.
• He learned to purfle instruments during his apprenticeship.
• The decorative purfle enhanced the beauty of the handmade mandolin.