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Entry 12 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Buckle

/bŭk'-əl/ · Buc·kle · IPA /ˈbʌkəl/
01 n. A device, usually of metal, consisting of a frame with one more movable tongues or catches, used for fastening things together, as parts of…
  1. 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. 2.
    A distortion bulge, bend, or kink, as in a saw blade or a plate of sheet metal.
  3. 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. 4.
    A contorted expression, as of the face.[R.]
    “'Gainst nature armed by gravity, His features too in buckle see.” — Churchill.
02 v. t. To fasten or confine with a buckle or buckles; as, to buckle a harness.
imp. & p. p. Buckled; p. pr. & vb. n. Buckling
  1. 1.
    To fasten or confine with a buckle or buckles; as, to buckle a harness.
  2. 2.
    To bend; to cause to kink, or to become distorted.
  3. 3.
    To prepare for action; to apply with vigor and earnestness; -- formerly, generally used reflexively, but by mid 20th century, usually used with down; -- as, the programmers buckled down and worked late hours to finish the project in time for the promised delivery date.
    “Cartwright buckled himself to the employment.” — Fuller.
  4. 4.
    To join in marriage.[Scot.]
03 v. i. To bend permanently; to become distorted; to bow; to curl; to kink.
  1. 1.
    To bend permanently; to become distorted; to bow; to curl; to kink.
    “Buckled with the heat of the fire like parchment.” — Pepys.
  2. 2.
    To bend out of a true vertical plane, as a wall.
  3. 3.
    To yield; to give way; to cease opposing.[Obs.]
    “The Dutch, as high as they seem, do begin to buckle.” — Pepys.
  4. 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.
Phrases & compounds
To buckle to — to bend to; to engage with zeal.