curl

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: coilwhorlrollcurlicueringletgyrescrollCurlRobert CurlRobert F. CurlRobert Floyd Curl Jr.lock

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals)Synonyms: coilwhorlrollcurlicueringletgyrescroll
  2. American chemist who with Richard Smalley and Harold Kroto discovered fullerenes and opened a new branch of chemistry (born in 1933)Synonyms: CurlRobert CurlRobert F. CurlRobert Floyd Curl Jr.
  3. a strand or cluster of hairSynonyms: lockringletwhorl

Verb (5)

  1. form a curl, curve, or kink“the cigar smoke curled up at the ceiling”Synonyms: curvekink
  2. shape one's body into a curl“She curled farther down under the covers”“She fell and drew in”Synonyms: curl updraw in
  3. wind around something in coils or loopsSynonyms: coilloop
  4. twist or roll into coils or ringlets“curl my hair, please”Synonyms: wave
  5. play the Scottish game of curling
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Curl \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. [1913 Webster]

Thou seest it [hair] will not curl by nature.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Then round her slender waist he curled.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
Curling smokes from village tops are seen.— Pope.[1913 Webster]
Gayly curl the waves before each dashing prow.— Byron.[1913 Webster]
He smiled a king of sickly smile, and curled up on the floor.— Bret Harte.[1913 Webster]

3.To play at the game called curling. [Scot.] [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

But curl their locks with bodkins and with braid.— Cascoigne.[1913 Webster]

2.To twist or make onto coils, as a serpent's body. [1913 Webster]

Of his tortuous train, Curled many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

3.To deck with, or as with, curls; to ornament. [1913 Webster]

Thicker than the snaky locks That curledMeg[ae]ra.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
Curling with metaphors a plain intention.— Herbert.[1913 Webster]

4.To raise in waves or undulations; to ripple. [1913 Webster]

Seas would be pools without the brushing air To curl the waves.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

5.(Hat Making) To shape (the brim) into a curve. [1913 Webster]

Curl \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. [1913 Webster]

Under a coronet, his flowing hair In curls on either cheek played.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

2.An undulating or waving line or streak in any substance, as wood, glass, etc.; flexure; sinuosity. [1913 Webster]

If the glass of the prisms . . . be without those numberless waves or curls which usually arise from the sand holes.— Sir I. Newton.[1913 Webster]

3.A disease in potatoes, in which the leaves, at their first appearance, seem curled and shrunken. [1913 Webster]

Blue curls. (Bot.) See under Blue. [1913 Webster]

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