BUCKLE Buc"kle, n. Etym: [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.
BUCKLE
Buc"kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Buckled; p. pr. & vb. n. Buckling.]
Etym: [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. Cartwright buckled himself to the employment. Fuller.
4. To join in marriage. [Scot.] Sir W. Scott.