buckle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun fastener that fastens together two ends of a belt or strap; often has loose prong
  2. noun a shape distorted by twisting or folding
    warp.
  3. verb fasten with a buckle or buckles
    clasp.
  4. verb fold or collapse
    crumple.
    • His knees buckled
  5. verb bend out of shape, as under pressure or from heat
    heave; warp.
    • The highway buckled during the heat wave

WordNet

Buc"kle noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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 transitive verb
Etymology
OE. boclen, F. boucler. See Buckle, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Buckled present participle & verbal noun Buckling
Definitions
  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 buckle down .
    Cartwright buckled himself to the employment. Fuller.
  4. To join in marriage. Scot. Sir W. Scott.
Buc"kle intransitive verb
Definitions
  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 make our sturdy humor buckle thereto. Barrow.
    Before buckling to my winter's work. J. D. Forbes.

Webster 1913