Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Curl?

\Curl\ (k[^u]rl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Curled} (k[^u]rld); p. pr. & vb. n. {Curling}.] [Akin to D. krullen, Dan. kr["o]lle, dial. Sw. krulla to curl, crisp; possibly akin to E. crook. Cf. {Curl}, n., {Cruller}.] 1. To twist or form into ringlets; to crisp, as the hair. But curl their locks with bodkins and with braid. --Cascoigne. 2. To twist or make onto coils, as a serpent's body. Of his tortuous train, Curled many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve. --Milton. 3. To deck with, or as with, curls; to ornament. Thicker than the snaky locks That curledMeg[ae]ra. --Milton. Curling with metaphors a plain intention. --Herbert. 4. To raise in waves or undulations; to ripple. Seas would be pools without the brushing air To curl the waves. --Dryden. 5. (Hat Making) To shape (the brim) into a curve.
\Curl\, v. i. 1. To contract or bend into curls or ringlets, as hair; to grow in curls or spirals, as a vine; to be crinkled or contorted; to have a curly appearance; as, leaves lie curled on the ground. Thou seest it [hair] will not curl by nature. --Shak. 2. To move in curves, spirals, or undulations; to contract in curving outlines; to bend in a curved form; to make a curl or curls. ``Cirling billows.'' --Dryden. Then round her slender waist he curled. --Dryden. Curling smokes from village tops are seen. --Pope. Gayly curl the waves before each dashing prow. --Byron. He smiled a king of sickly smile, and curled up on the floor. --Bret Harte. 3. To play at the game called curling. [Scot.]
\Curl\ (k[^u]rl), n. [Akin to D. krul, Dan. kr["o]lle. See {Curl}, v. ] 1. A ringlet, especially of hair; anything of a spiral or winding form. Under a coronet, his flowing hair In curls on either cheek played. --Milton. 2. An undulating or waving line or streak in any substance, as wood, glass, etc.; flexure; sinuosity. If the glass of the prisms . . . be without those numberless waves or curls which usually arise from the sand holes. --Sir I. Newton. 3. A disease in potatoes, in which the leaves, at their first appearance, seem curled and shrunken. {Blue curls}. (Bot.) See under {Blue}.