Definitions for: Buckle


[n] fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong
[n] a shape distorted by twisting or folding
[v] bend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat; "The highway buckled during the heatwave"
[v] fold or collapse; "His knees buckled"
[v] fasten with a buckle or buckles



Webster (1913) Definition: 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.

Synonyms: clasp, crumple, heave, warp, warp

Antonyms: unbuckle

See Also: belt buckle, break, cave in, change surface, collapse, distorted shape, distortion, fall in, fasten, fastener, fastening, fix, fixing, founder, give, give way, holdfast, lift, prong, secure

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