Webster's English Dictionary

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buckle

1. buckle \'b*k-*l\ n [ME bocle, fr. MF, boss of a shield, buckle, fr. L 
   buccula, dim. of] bucca cheek : a  1: fastening for two loose ends that is 
   attached to one and holds the other  by a catch 2: an ornamental device 
   that suggests a buckle  archaic  3: a crisp curl 
2. buckle \'b*k-(*-)lin\ vb or buck.ling 1: to fasten with a buckle  2: to 
   prepare with vigor for action  3: to cause to bend, give way, or crumple  
   1: to apply oneself with vigor : STRIVE {~s down to  the job} 2: to bend, 
   heave, warp, or kink usu. under the influence of some external  agency 3: 
   to become distorted by buckling; broadly : COLLAPSE  4: to give way : YIELD 
   {~ under} 
3. buckle n : a product of buckling