crinkle

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a slight depression in the smoothness of a surface
  2. verb make wrinkles or creases on a smooth surface; make a pressed, folded or wrinkled line in
  3. verb become wrinkled or crumpled or creased

Etymology

From Middle English crenclen (“to bend, buckle”), from Old English *crinclian, frequentative form of Old English crincan (“to yield”), from Proto-Germanic *kringaną (“to turn, to fall, to yield”), from Proto-Indo-European *ger- (“to turn, wind”). Cognate with North Frisian krenge, krönge (“to obtain, reach, attain”), Dutch krinkelen (“to turn, wind”). Related to cringe.

In classic literature

Synonyms

wrinkle, furrow, crease, seam, line

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