Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Buckle?

\Buc"kle\, n. [OE. bocle buckle, boss of a shield, OF. bocle, F. boucle, boss of a shield, ring, fr. L. buccula a little cheek or mouth, dim. of bucca cheek; this boss or knob resembling a cheek.] 1. A device, usually of metal, consisting of a frame with one more movable tongues or catches, used for fastening things together, as parts of dress or harness, by means of a strap passing through the frame and pierced by the tongue. 2. A distortion bulge, bend, or kink, as in a saw blade or a plate of sheet metal. --Knight. 3. A curl of hair, esp. a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also, the state of being curled. Earlocks in tight buckles on each side of a lantern face. --W. Irving. Lets his wig lie in buckle for a whole half year. --Addison. 4. A contorted expression, as of the face. [R.] 'Gainst nature armed by gravity, His features too in buckle see. --Churchill.
\Buc"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Buckled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Buckling}.] [OE. boclen, F. boucler. See {Buckle}, n.] 1. To fasten or confine with a buckle or buckles; as, to buckle a harness. 2. To bend; to cause to kink, or to become distorted. 3. To prepare for action; to apply with vigor and earnestness; -- generally used reflexively
\Buc"kle\ (b[u^]k"k'l), v. i. 1. To bend permanently; to become distorted; to bow; to curl; to kink. Buckled with the heat of the fire like parchment. --Pepys. 2. To bend out of a true vertical plane, as a wall. 3. To yield; to give way; to cease opposing. [Obs.] The Dutch, as high as they seem, do begin to buckle. --Pepys. 4. To enter upon some labor or contest; to join in close fight; to struggle; to contend. The bishop was as able and ready to buckle with the Lord Protector as he was with him. --Latimer. In single combat thou shalt buckle with me. --Shak. {To buckle to}, to bend to; to engage with zeal. To make our sturdy humor buckle thereto. --Barrow. Before buckling to my winter's work. --J. D. Forbes.