crimp1

[krimp] /krɪmp/
verb (used with object)
1.
to press into small regular folds; make wavy.
2.
to curl (hair), especially with the use of a curling iron.
3.
to press or draw together, as the ends of something.
4.
to check, restrain, or inhibit; hinder:
Production was crimped by a shortage of workers.
5.
Cookery.
  1. to pinch and press down the edges of (a pie crust), especially to seal together the top and bottom layers of pastry.
  2. to gash (the flesh of a live fish or of one just killed) with a knife to make more crisp when cooked.
6.
to produce a corrugated surface in; corrugate, as sheet metal, cardboard, etc.
7.
to bend (leather) into shape.
8.
Metalworking.
  1. to bend the edges of (skelp) before forming into a tube.
  2. to fold the edges of (sheet metal) to make a lock seam.
noun
9.
the act of crimping.
10.
a crimped condition or form.
11.
Usually, crimps. waves or curls, especially in hair that has been crimped or that displays a crimped pattern.
12.
the waviness of wool fibers as naturally grown on sheep.
13.
the waviness imparted to natural or synthetic fibers by weaving, knitting, plaiting, or other processes.
14.
a crease formed in sheet metal or plate metal to make the material less flexible or for fastening purposes.
Idioms
15.
put a crimp in, to interfere with; hinder:
His broken leg put a crimp in their vacation plans.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English crympen, Old English gecrympan to curl, derivative of crump crooked
Related forms
crimper, noun

crimp2

[krimp] /krɪmp/
noun
1.
a person engaged in enlisting sailors, soldiers, etc., by persuasion, swindling, or coercion.
verb (used with object)
2.
to enlist (sailors, soldiers, etc.) by such means.
Origin
1630-40; special use of crimp1
Examples from the web for crimp
  • Fold overhang under and press against rim of pie plate, then crimp decoratively.
  • Fold the overhang under the bottom crust, pressing the edge to seal it, and crimp the edge decoratively.
  • Fold overhang underneath, then crimp decoratively and brush top crust with milk.
  • Place loose lids inside steel cans and crimp the can to trap lids inside.
  • The buildup of material on desalination membranes puts a big crimp in their efficiency.
  • His fingers crimp and gnarl, turning the hand into a disfigured claw.
  • Critics decried the idea because they said it would crimp individuals' ability to play their media on devices of their choosing.
  • The falling dollar is bound to crimp the company's earnings.
  • Impending shortages could put a crimp in your plans.
  • Place on top of filled pie crust and crimp the edges.
British Dictionary definitions for crimp

crimp1

/krɪmp/
verb (transitive)
1.
to fold or press into ridges
2.
to fold and pinch together (something, such as the edges of two pieces of metal)
3.
to curl or wave (the hair) tightly, esp with curling tongs
4.
to decorate (the edge of pastry) by pinching with the fingers to give a fluted effect
5.
to gash (fish or meat) with a knife to make the flesh firmer and crisper when cooked
6.
to bend or mould (leather) into shape, as for shoes
7.
(metallurgy) to bend the edges of (a metal plate) before forming into a cylinder
8.
(informal, mainly US) to hinder
noun
9.
the act or result of folding or pressing together or into ridges
10.
a tight wave or curl in the hair
11.
a crease or fold in a metal sheet
12.
the natural wave of wool fibres
Derived Forms
crimper, noun
crimpy, adjective
Word Origin
Old English crympan; related to crump bent, Old Norse kreppa to contract, Old High German crumpf, Old Swedish crumb crooked; see cramp1

crimp2

/krɪmp/
noun
1.
(formerly) a person who swindled or pressganged men into naval or military service
verb
2.
to recruit by coercion or under false pretences
Word Origin
C17: of unknown origin
Word Origin and History for crimp
v.

1630s; Old English had gecrympan "to crimp, curl," but the modern word probably is from Middle Dutch or Low German crimpen/krimpen "to shrink, crimp." Related: Crimped; crimping.

n.

1863, from crimp (v.). Originally "natural curl in wool fiber." To put a crimp in (something) is 1896, U.S. slang.

Slang definitions & phrases for crimp

crimp

noun

A restriction; obstacle: He kept putting crimps into my plan

verb

: I'll crimp him good with this nasty new rule (1896+)