pucker

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an irregular fold in an otherwise even surface (as in cloth)
  2. verb to gather something into small wrinkles or folds
  3. verb draw together into folds or puckers

Etymology

Origin obscure. Perhaps continuing Middle English pukkeren (“to hoard, save”, literally “to sack, stow away in a poke or bag”) with a change in meaning (compare purse (“to pucker”)). Alternatively, perhaps a direct alteration of poke (verb, or the noun meaning "a small bag"). By surface analysis, poke + -er.

In classic literature

Synonyms

ruck

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