Curl /(kûrl)/

imp. & p. p. Curled; p. pr. & vb. n. Curling

1. To twist or form into ringlets; to crisp, as the hair.

   But curl their locks with bodkins and with braid.

2. To twist or make onto coils, as a serpent's body.

   Of his tortuous train, Curled many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve.

3. To deck with, or as with, curls; to ornament.

   Thicker than the snaky locks That curledMegæra.

   Curling with metaphors a plain intention.

4. To raise in waves or undulations; to ripple.

   Seas would be pools without the brushing air To curl the waves.

5. To shape (the brim) into a curve. (Hat Making)

1. To contract or bend into curls or ringlets, as hair; to grow in curls or spirals, as a vine; to be crinkled or contorted; to have a curly appearance; as, leaves lie curled on the ground.

   Thou seest it [hair] will not curl by nature.

2. To move in curves, spirals, or undulations; to contract in curving outlines; to bend in a curved form; to make a curl or curls.

   Then round her slender waist he curled.

   Curling smokes from village tops are seen.

   Gayly curl the waves before each dashing prow.

   He smiled a king of sickly smile, and curled up on the floor.

3. To play at the game called curling. [Scot.]

1. A ringlet, especially of hair; anything of a spiral or winding form.

   Under a coronet, his flowing hair In curls on either cheek played.

2. An undulating or waving line or streak in any substance, as wood, glass, etc.; flexure; sinuosity.

   If the glass of the prisms . . . be without those numberless waves or curls which usually arise from the sand holes.

3. A disease in potatoes, in which the leaves, at their first appearance, seem curled and shrunken.