buckle

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: warpclaspcrumpleheave

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong
  2. a shape distorted by twisting or foldingSynonyms: warp

Verb (3)

  1. fasten with a buckle or bucklesSynonyms: clasp
  2. fold or collapse“His knees buckled”Synonyms: crumple
  3. bend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat“The highway buckled during the heat wave”Synonyms: heavewarp
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Buckle \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. [1913 Webster]

2.To bend; to cause to kink, or to become distorted. [1913 Webster]

3.To prepare for action; to apply with vigor and earnestness; -- formerly, generally used reflexively, but by mid 20th century, usually used with down; -- as, the programmers buckled down and worked late hours to finish the project in time for the promised delivery date. [1913 Webster +PJC]

Cartwright buckled himself to the employment.— Fuller.[1913 Webster]

4.To join in marriage. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

2.A distortion bulge, bend, or kink, as in a saw blade or a plate of sheet metal. --Knight. [1913 Webster]

3.A curl of hair, esp. a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also, the state of being curled. [1913 Webster]

Earlocks in tight buckles on each side of a lantern face.— W. Irving.[1913 Webster]
Lets his wig lie in buckle for a whole half year.— Addison.[1913 Webster]

4.A contorted expression, as of the face. [R.] [1913 Webster]

'Gainst nature armed by gravity, His features too in buckle see.— Churchill.[1913 Webster]
Buckle \Buc"kle\ (b[u^]k"k'l), v. i.

1.To bend permanently; to become distorted; to bow; to curl; to kink. [1913 Webster]

Buckled with the heat of the fire like parchment.— Pepys.[1913 Webster]

2.To bend out of a true vertical plane, as a wall. [1913 Webster]

3.To yield; to give way; to cease opposing. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The Dutch, as high as they seem, do begin to buckle.— Pepys.[1913 Webster]

4.To enter upon some labor or contest; to join in close fight; to struggle; to contend. [1913 Webster]

The bishop was as able and ready to buckle with the Lord Protector as he was with him.— Latimer.[1913 Webster]
In single combat thou shalt buckle with me.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

To buckle to, to bend to; to engage with zeal. [1913 Webster]

To make our sturdy humor buckle thereto.— Barrow.[1913 Webster]
Before buckling to my winter's work.— J. D. Forbes.[1913 Webster]
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