Buckle (&unr_;), 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 (bŭkk'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]