Curl (k?rl), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Curled (k?rld); p. pr. & vb. n. Curling.] [Akin to D. krullen, Dan. krlle, dial. Sw. krulla to curl, crisp; possibly akin to E. crook. Cf. Curl, n., Cruller.]
1.
To twist or form into ringlets; to crisp, as the hair.
But curl their locks with bodkins and with braid.
Cascoigne.
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.
Milton.
3.
To deck with, or as with, curls; to ornament.
Thicker than the snaky locks
That curledMegaera.
Milton.
Curling with metaphors a plain intention.
Herbert.
4.
To raise in waves or undulations; to ripple.
Seas would be pools without the brushing air
To curl the waves.
Dryden.
5. Hat Making
To shape (the brim) into a curve.
© Webster 1913.
Curl, v. i.
1.
To contract or bend into curis 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.
Shak.
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.
"
Cirling billows."
Dryden.
Then round her slender waist he curled.
Dryden.
Curling smokes from village tops are seen.
Pope.
Gayly curl the waves before each dashing prow.
Byron.
He smiled a king of sickly smile, and curled up on the floor.
Bret Harte.
<-- p>. 358 -->
3.
To play at the game called curling.
[Scot.]
© Webster 1913.
Curl (k?rl), n. [Akin to D. krul, Dan. krlle. See Curl, v. ]
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.
Milton.
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.
Sir I. Newton.
3.
A disease in potatoes, in which the leaves, at their first appearance, seem curled and shrunken.
Blue curls. Bot. See under Blue.
© Webster 1913.