The noun is derived from Middle English bokel (“spiked metal ring for fastening; ornamental clasp; boss of a shield; a shield, buckler; (figurative) means of defence”) [and other forms], from Old French boucle, bocle (“spiked metal ring for fastening; boss of a shield; a shield”) [and other forms], from Latin buccula (“cheek strap of a helmet; boss of a shield”) (from bucca (“soft part of the cheek”)).
Noun etymology 1, noun sense 2 (“great conflict or struggle”) is probably derived from verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.2.1 (“to apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work”).
The verb is derived from Middle English bokelen, bukelen (“to fasten (something) with a buckle or clasp; to fasten, make fast; to wrap; to arch the body”) [and other forms], from bokel (noun) (see above) + -en (suffix forming the infinitive of verbs).
In verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.2.1, the sense “to apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work” was derived from the now obsolete sense “to equip (oneself) for a battle, etc.”, and originally alluded to armour being buckled on to the body.
Meanings
A metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike through which a belt or strap is passed and penetrated by the tongue or spike, in order to fasten the ends of the belt together or to secure the strap to something else.
Tongue of my shoe-buckle broke. […] Bought a new head to my cane, and a tongue to my buckle. Drank a glass of purl to recover appetite. 1712 March 14 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “MONDAY, March 4, 1711–1712”, in The Spectator, number 317; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume IV, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, pages 86–87:
Svveet Hellen I muſt vvoe you, / To helpe vn-arme our Hector: his ſtubborne bucles / VVith this your vvhite enchaunting fingers touch; / Shall more obey then to the edge of ſteele, / Or force of Greekiſh ſinevves: […] c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Famous Historie of Troylus and Cresseid. […] (First Quarto), London: […] G[eorge] Eld for R[ichard] Bonian and H[enry] Walley, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i], signature F, verso:
My uncle furthermore remarked that it wore high heeled shoes, after an ancient fashion, with paste or diamond buckles, that sparkled as though they were alive. 1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “The Adventure of My Uncle”, in Tales of a Traveller, part 1 (Strange Stories. […]), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea, […], →OCLC, page 31:
(broadly) A metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike through which a belt or strap is passed and penetrated by the tongue or spike, in order to fasten the ends of the belt together or to secure the strap to something else. ▸ Some other form of clasp used to fasten two things together.
He must be forging the buckle-screw, sir, now. […] Carpenter, when he's through with that buckle, tell him to forge a pair of steel shoulder-blades; there's a pedlar aboard with a crushing pack. 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Ahab and the Carpenter”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, pages 522–523:
(Canada) A metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike through which a belt or strap is passed and penetrated by the tongue or spike, in order to fasten the ends of the belt together or to secure the strap to something else. ▸ An image of a clasp (etymology 1, noun sense 1) used as the brisure of an eighth daughter.
tl hebilya (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · bg катарама (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · vi khóa (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · arz ابزيم (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · grc περόνη (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ms kancing (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · km គន្លឹះ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · fi solki (some other form of clasp used to fasten two things together) · sw bakoli (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ja バックル (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sh ко̏пча (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · uz to'qa (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · mi kati (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ru пря́жка (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · mi toromoka (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · mi tāpine (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · fi solki (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · fi solki (image of a clasp used as the brisure of an eighth daughter) · ko 솔기 (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · xcl ճարմանդ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · de Schnalle (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · izh präski (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ru застёжка (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · az toqqa (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · si ගාංචුව (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · wa blouke (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ne पेटी (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · es hebilla (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · lv sprādze (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ko 버클 (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · mrw bakel (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sv bältesspänne (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · cs přezka (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · la buccula (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ar إِبْزِيم (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · be спра́жка (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ka აბზინდა (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · xcl շիգղ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ca sivella (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · mn горхи (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sh шна́ла (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ota طوقه (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sk sponka (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · no spenne (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · gl fibela (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · pdt Schnal (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · cs spona (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · be за́сцежка (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · fo spenni (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · et pannal (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · hy ճարմանդ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ne बेल्ट (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sl zaponka (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · cmn 搭扣 (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · io buklo (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · fr boucle (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · pt fivela (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ms gesper (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · uk пря́жка (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · cmn 扣環 /扣环 (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · is sylgja (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ga búcla (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · bg тока (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · km កន្លាស់ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · eo buko (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · lo ຜູກຄຽນແອວ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · da spænde (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · tl pamuko (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · lo ຫົວສາຍແອວ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ja 尾錠 (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · th หัวเข็มขัด (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · pl sprzączka (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · hi बकसुआ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · tr toka (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · fa ابزیم (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · mk тока (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · pl klamra (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sv spänne (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · kk айылбас (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · uk за́стібка (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · my ထိကပေါက် (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · nl gesp (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · he אבזם (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ro cataramă (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sh šnála (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · cy bwcwl (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · kk тоға (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ru бля́ха (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sh kȍpča (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · id gesper (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · fa سگک (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ky таралга (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · hu kapocs (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · sk pracka (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · nrf bliouque (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · hu csat (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · it fibbia (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · bo ཆབ་རྩེ (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · el αγκράφα (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike) · ja 締め金 (metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike)
The noun is derived from Middle English bokel (“spiked metal ring for fastening; ornamental clasp; boss of a shield; a shield, buckler; (figurative) means of defence”) [and other forms], from Old French boucle, bocle (“spiked metal ring for fastening; boss of a shield; a shield”) [and other forms], from Latin buccula (“cheek strap of a helmet; boss of a shield”) (from bucca (“soft part of the cheek”)).
Noun etymology 1, noun sense 2 (“great conflict or struggle”) is probably derived from verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.2.1 (“to apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work”).
The verb is derived from Middle English bokelen, bukelen (“to fasten (something) with a buckle or clasp; to fasten, make fast; to wrap; to arch the body”) [and other forms], from bokel (noun) (see above) + -en (suffix forming the infinitive of verbs).
In verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.2.1, the sense “to apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work” was derived from the now obsolete sense “to equip (oneself) for a battle, etc.”, and originally alluded to armour being buckled on to the body.
Meanings
(transitive) To fasten (something) using a buckle (noun etymology 1, noun sense 1); hence (obsolete), to fasten (something) in any way.
Out he pulls his pedigree, on he buckles his sword, gives his beaver a brush, and cocks it in the face of all creation. 1822 May 29, [Walter Scott], chapter XII, in The Fortunes of Nigel. […], volume III (in English), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC, page 331:
[T]here vvere tvvo ſtrong Staples fixed upon that ſide of my Box vvhich had no VVindovv, and into vvhich the Servant vvho uſed to carry me on horſeback vvoud put a leathern Belt, and buckle it about his VVaſte. 1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The King and Queen Make a Progress to the Frontiers. The Author Attends Them. The Manner in which He Leaves the Country Very Particularly Related. He Returns to England.”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume I, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part II (A Voyage to Brobdingnag), page 292:
Iuſt. [i.e., the Lord Chief Justice, William Gascoigne] VVel, the truth is ſir Iohn, you liue in great infamy. / Falſt[aff]. He that buckles himſelfe in my belt cannot liue in leſſe. c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], signature B3, recto:
Buckle this harness on, that, being armed, / I may defend the entrance. 1805, Robert Southey, “Canto XVI”, in Madoc, London: […] [F]or Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, and A[rchibald] Constable and Co, […], by James Ballantyne, […], →OCLC, part II (Madoc in Aztlan), page 332:
[H]ovv briefe the Life of man / runs his erring pilgrimage, / That the ſtretching of a ſpan, / buckles in his ſumme of age. c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii], page 195, column 2:
It is a ſigne that a man hath to doe vvith a ſtrong enemie vvhen he buckleth on all his harneſſe, and calleth together all his ſtrength for oppoſition. 1632, Edward Reynoldes [i.e., Edward Reynolds], “Verse 2”, in An Explication of the Hundreth and Tenth Psalme: […], London: […] Felix Kyngston for Robert Bostocke, […], →OCLC, page 153:
Thy daughter, Sir Hugh—eh! whom thou carriest off from some unlucky wight, and bucklest up in this bespangled gear? 1836, Cuthbert Clutterbuck [pseudonym; Alexander Hamilton], chapter XVII, in Edith of Glammis. […], volume I, London: Smith, Elder, & Co. […], →OCLC, page 51:
(figuratively, reflexive, transitive) To apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work; also (obsolete), to equip (oneself) for a battle, expedition, etc.
For this cauſe whẽ the faithfull find themſelues to haue ouercome Satan in one incounter by the grace of Chriſt, let them take good heede that they imagin not their battel to be at an end: but rather let them buckle themſelues to a new charge, and valiantly aduance themſelues to handſtrokes againe. 1574, Augustine Marlorate [i.e., Augustin Marlorat], “[Revelation 12:12]”, in Arthur Golding, transl., A Catholike Exposition vpon the Reuelation of Sainct Iohn. […], London: […] H[enry] Binneman, for L[ucas] Harison, and G[eorge] Bishop, →OCLC, folio 179, verso:
Hereupon [Thomas] Cartwright buckled himself to the employment, and was very forward in the pursuance thereof. 1655, Thomas Fuller, “Section VI. To the Masters, Wardens, and All the Members of the Honourable Company of Mercers, of London.”, in The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI), subsections 15–20 (The Rhemish Translation Comes Forth. …), page 69:
To be breef, haukes ſeeme not to differ, ſaue that all of them doe not flie at all kinde of birds and foules alike, for in deede euery one of them buckleth himſelfe vnto the bird, to the flying vvhereof he is giuen and addicted, and not to others. 1606, Charles Steuens [i.e., Charles Estienne]; John Liebault [i.e., Jean Liébault], “Of Birds of the Pray in Particular”, in Richard Surflet, transl., Maison Rustique, or The Countrey Farme: […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield for Iohn Norton and Iohn Bill, →OCLC, book VII (The Warren), page 879:
It chargeth on us contentedly and patiently to undergo whatever God doth impose of burden or sufferance, so that 'patience have its perfect work;' and it is a crabbed work to bend our stiff inclinations, to quell our refractory passions, to make our sturdy humour buckle thereto. a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “Sermon LII. Of Industry in Our General Calling, as Christians.”, in The Works of Dr. Isaac Barrow. […], volume III, London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], published 1831, →OCLC, page 321:
… At the very time you were writing I was on a visit to the North of England, by way of a little stretch, before buckling to my winter's work. 1838 December 6, James David Forbes, “Personal Life (Continued) [Letter to J. T. Harrison, Esq.]”, in John Campbell Shairp, Peter Guthrie Tait, A[nthony] Adams-Reilly, Life and Letters of James David Forbes, London: Macmillan and Co., published 1873, →OCLC, page 140:
He left his lofty ſteede to aide him neare, / And buckling ſoone him ſelfe, gan fiercely fly / Vppon that Carle, to ſaue his friend from ieopardy. 1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book VI, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], part II (books IV–VI), London: […] [Richard Field] for William Ponsonby, →OCLC, stanza 12, page 454:
(UK, figuratively, qualifier:dialectal (especially Scotland) or humorous, transitive) To unite (people) in marriage; to marry.
They were hailed […] as a young strapping Irishman, conveying an ancient maiden to Dr Rigmarole's at Redriffe, who buckles beggars for a tester and a dram of Geneva. 1822 May 29, [Walter Scott], chapter II, in The Fortunes of Nigel. […], volume III (in English), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Co.; London: Hurst, Robinson, and Co., →OCLC, page 34:
[T]ake my advice, and marry in the firſt place vvhere vve can find a curate; or make uſe of our friend the licentiate, vvho vvill buckle you handſomely. 1755, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, “The Savoury Conversation that Passed between Don Quixote and His Squire Sancho Panza; with Many Other Incidents”, in T[obias] Smollett, transl., The History and Adventures of the Renowned Don Quixote. […], volume I, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, part I, book IV, page 228:
(figuratively, intransitive) To apply oneself to or prepare for a task or work.
[For a man] to be deceiued, vvith too long Shadovves, […] And ſo to ſhoot off before the time; Or to teach dangers to come on, by ouer early Buckling tovvards them, is another Extreme. 1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Delayes. XXI.”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret, →OCLC, page 126:
At laſt Eſquire South buckl'd to, to aſſiſt his Friend Nic. 1712, Humphry Polesworth [pseudonym; John Arbuthnot], “The Rest of Nic’s Fetches to Keep John out of Ecclesdoun-Castle”, in Lewis Baboon Turned Honest, and John Bull Politician. Being the Fourth Part of Law is a Bottomless-Pit. […], London: […] John Morphew, […], →OCLC, page 32:
Then the sergeant let us out, and introducing us to a pile of wood and saws and axes, informed us that when this had been cut up into firewood we should get our breakfast. He sat at the door of his kitchen watching, and seeing there was nothing else for it we buckled to and soon had the job done; when we were admitted to the kitchen and given a really good meal. 1929, D[onald] J[ohn] Munro, “Nemesis”, in The Roaring Forties and After, London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., →OCLC, page 38:
Lickity, lickity, switch, we came to the ford, and Chiquita / Buckled right down to her work, […] 1870 March, Bret Harte, “[In Dialect.] Chiquita.”, in Poems, Boston, Mass.: Fields, Osgood, & Co., published 1871, →OCLC, page 55:
The firſt thing vve doe in the morning before vve either eate or drink, or buckle about any vvorldly buſineſſe, is to put our clothes about vs: vve ſay, vve are not ready, till vve haue done that. 1623 June 21 (date delivered; Gregorian calendar), Robert Saunderson [i.e., Robert Sanderson], “[Ad Magistratum.] The First Sermon. At a Publicke Sessions at Grantham Linc[olnshire] 11. June. 1623.”, in Twelve Sermons, […], [new] edition, London: […] Aug[ustine] Math[ews], for Robert Dawlman, and are to be sold by Robert Allet, […], published 1632, →OCLC, §. 6, page 132:
[T]he Epicure buckles to ſtudy, vvhen ſhame, or the deſire to recommend himſelf to his Miſtreſs, ſhall make him uneaſie in the vvant of any ſort of knovvledge. 1694, [John Locke], “Of Power”, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Thomas Dring, […]; and Samuel Manship, […], →OCLC, book II, § 43, page 139:
Sir John diſdainfully looking at him, ſaluted him vvith theſe VVords, Farevvel Sir Knave, (for it is to be noted that it is common vvith him to term many honeſt Men ſo). My Brother anſvvered, Sir, You are no leſs. VVhereat one of Sir John’s Men buckled to fight vvith him. But Sir John ſtayed his Man. 1563, John Strype, quoting Edwin Sandys, “The Bishop of Worcester’s Vindication of Himself against Sir John Bourne, before the Privy Council. Bourne’s Imprisonment and Submission. [An Answer to a Declaration of Sir John Bourne, Kt. which He Hath Made to My Answer Uttered before Your Honours. The Said Declaration being Indeed a New and Untrue Accusation.]”, in Annals of the Reformation and Establishment of Religion, and Other Various Occurrences in the Church of England; […], volume I, London: […] John Wyat, […], published 1709, →OCLC, page 360:
I confess that the recollection of what this bell could do when it buckled down to it gave me pause as I stood that night at 12.30 p.m. prompt beside the outhouse where it was located. 1934 October 5, P[elham] G[renville] Wodehouse, chapter XXII, in Right Ho, Jeeves, London: Herbert Jenkins […], →OCLC, page 280:
(UK, figuratively, intransitive, qualifier:dialectal (especially Scotland) or humorous) To unite with someone in marriage; to marry.
Yet thou, they ſay, for Marriage do'ſt provide: / Is this an Age to Buckle vvith a Bride? 1693, Decimus Junius Juvenalis, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis.] The Sixth Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC, page 90:
(dialectal, figuratively, intransitive, qualifier:obsolete except UK) To participate in some contest or labour; to join in close fight; to contend.
So they buckled together, and the Heithen were diſcomfited, and fled ouer the playne felde: but the hynmoſt of them were ſlayne. 1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, 1 Macchabees iiij:[14–15], folio lxij, verso, column 1:
[B]eing armed vvith patience vvhen thou buckleſt vvith affliction or pouertie, hunger, or any croſſe ſoeuer thou canſt ſay, it is nothing to ouercome them. 1599, Lewis Thomas, “Christ Combating with Satan”, in Seauen Sermons, or, The Exercises of Seuen Sabbaoths. […], [London]: […] Valentine Simmes, →OCLC, folio 50, verso:
Algerine Porpoise […] Provoke him, and he will buckle to a shark. 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Cetology”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 158:
And as the vvhole armies vvere thus engag'd, and each man cloſely buckl'd to his antagoniſt, the battles vvere commonly very bloody, and great ſlaughter made on both ſides, but eſpecially on the vanquiſh'd. 1749 (date written), David Hume, “Discourse X. Of the Populousness of Antient Nations.”, in Political Discourses, Edinburgh: […] R[obert] Fleming, for A[lexander] Kincaid and A[lexander] Donaldson, published 1752, →OCLC, page 189:
In ſingle Combat thou ſhalt buckle vvith me; / And if thou vanquiſheſt, thy vvords are true, / Othervviſe I renounce all confidence. c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene ii], page 98, column 2:
VVell, it chanced that the Lord Protector [Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester] and he [Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester] fell out, and the Biſhop vvould bear nothing at all vvith him, but played me the Satrapa; ſo the Regent of France vvas fain to be ſent for from beyond the ſeas, to ſet them at one, and go betvveen them: For the Biſhop vvas as able and ready to buckle vvith the Lord Protector as he vvas vvith him. 1549 March 24 (Gregorian calendar), Hugh Latimer, “Sermon VI. Being the Second Sermon Preached before King Edward VI. March the Fifteenth.”, in The Sermons of the Right Reverend Father in God, Master Hugh Latimer, Bishop of Worcester. […], volume I, London: […] J. Scott, […], published 1758, →OCLC, page 90:
ru застёгивать (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · mi whakamau (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · it allacciare (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · bg закопчавам (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · ota طوقهلامق (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · fr boucler (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · fi valmistautua (to apply oneself to or prepare for a task or work) · mi whakatina (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · sh zakòpčati (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · fi kiinnittää soljella (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · sh зако̀пчати (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · ka აბზინდა (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · es hebillar (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · ko 쭈그리다 (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · bg стягам (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · mi pine (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · tr tokalamak (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · fi varautua (to apply oneself to or prepare for a task or work) · ru застегну́ть (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · mk закопчува (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · pt afivelar (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · fi kiinnittää (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · el κουμπώνω (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way) · io buklagar (to fasten (something) using a buckle; to fasten (something) in any way)
Origin uncertain. Probably from Middle English bukklen, bokelen (“to arch the body”), from Middle French boucler (“to bulge”, literally “to take the shape of a shield boss”), perhaps from the same ultimate origin as Etymology 1 above, or perhaps related to Middle Low German bockelen (“to bang out curves in metal”), German buckeln (“to bend over, hunch”). In some senses, possibly from buck (“to bend, yield, buckle”) + -le (frequentative suffix).
Meanings
(countable) A distortion; a bend, bulge, or kink.
We can’t use that saw any more. It’s got a buckle in its blade.
(countable, uncountable) A distortion; a bend, bulge, or kink. ▸ An upward, elongated displacement of a roof membrane, frequently occurring over deck joints or insulation, which may indicate movement of the roof assembly.
(Canada, US, countable) Usually preceded by a descriptive word: a cake baked with fresh fruit (often blueberries) and a streusel topping.
(countable, obsolete) A curl of hair, especially a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also (countable, uncountable), the state of hair being curled in this manner.
Obſerve his ſtiff affected mein, / 'Gainſt Nature arm'd by Gravity, / His features too in buckle ſee, […] 1762, [Charles Churchill], “Book III”, in The Ghost, London: […] William Flexney, […], →OCLC, page 92:
For vvhat's a VVoman, vvhen her Virtue's gone? / A Coat vvithout its Lace; VVig out of Buckle; / A Stocking vvith a Hole in't. 1730 May 5 (first performance; Gregorian calendar), Henry Fielding, Tom Thumb. A Tragedy. […], London: […] J. Roberts […], published 1730, →OCLC, Act I, scene iv, pages 6–7:
That live-long VVig vvhich Gorgon's ſelf might ovvn, / Eternal buckle takes in Parian ſtone. 1731, Alexander Pope, “[Ethic Epistles, the Second Book. To Several Persons.] Epistle III. To Allen Lord Bathurst.”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume II, London: […] J. Wright, for Lawton Gilliver […], published 1735, →OCLC, page 22:
Those that have by Nature ſoft, thin, and ſhort Hair, vvhich, vvith great Difficulty, receives or retains a Buckle, and thoſe vvho readily run into Baldneſs or ſhedding of the Hair tovvards the Spring, are certainly of a looſe, flabby, and relaxed State of Nerves: […] 1733, George Cheyne, “Of the Signs and Symptoms of a Too Relaxed, Loose and Tender State of Nerves”, in The English Malady: Or, A Treatise of Nervous Diseases of All Kinds, […], London: […] G[eorge] Strahan […]; Bath, Somerset: J. Leake, →OCLC, part I (Of the Nature and Cause of Nervous Distempers), § II, page 100:
The greatest beau at our next county sessions was dressed in a most monstrous flaxen periwig, that was made in king William's reign. The wearer of it goes, it seems, in his own hair when he is at home, and lets his wig lie in buckle for a whole half year, that he may put it on upon occasion to meet the judges in it. 1711 August 7 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison], “FRIDAY, July 28, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 129; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC, page 184:
He turned round and beheld the old French servant, with his ear locks in tight buckles on each side of a long, lanthorn face, on which habit had deeply wrinkled an everlasting smile. 1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “The Adventure of My Uncle”, in Tales of a Traveller, part 1 (Strange Stories. […]), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea, […], →OCLC, page 32:
Origin uncertain. Probably from Middle English bukklen, bokelen (“to arch the body”), from Middle French boucler (“to bulge”, literally “to take the shape of a shield boss”), perhaps from the same ultimate origin as Etymology 1 above, or perhaps related to Middle Low German bockelen (“to bang out curves in metal”), German buckeln (“to bend over, hunch”). In some senses, possibly from buck (“to bend, yield, buckle”) + -le (frequentative suffix).
Meanings
(transitive) To cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted.
[R]eaſon doth buckle and bovve the Mind vnto the Nature of things. 1605, Francis Bacon, “The Second Booke”, in The Twoo Bookes of Francis Bacon. Of the Proficience and Aduancement of Learning, Diuine and Humane, London: […] [Thomas Purfoot and Thomas Creede] for Henrie Tomes, […], →OCLC, folio 18, recto:
Throw all their ſcandalous malice upon me? / 'Cauſe I am poor, deform'd and ignorant, / And like a Bow buckl'd and bent together, / By ſome more ſtrong in miſchiefs then my ſelf? 1621 (date written; published 1658), w:William Rowley, Thomas Dekker, John Ford, “The Witch of Edmonton: A Known True Story. […]”, in The Dramatic Works of Thomas Dekker […], volume IV, London: John Pearson […], published 1873, →OCLC, Act II, scene i, page 365:
(obsolete, transitive) To curl (hair).
(intransitive) Of a thing (especially a slender structure under compression): to collapse or distort under physical pressure.
And as the vvretch vvhoſe feuer-vveakned ioynts, / Like ſtrengthleſſe hinges buckle vnder life, / […] euen ſo my limbes, / VVeakened vvith griefe, being novv enragde vvith griefe, / Are thrice themſelues: […] c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Second Part of Henrie the Fourth, […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], signature [A4], verso:
The rail might still buckle when it's extremely cold. A signals box, that's a metal box on the side of the right of way, might still overheat. So we need to make sure that our operational capacity to respond to those potential disruptions and address them as quickly as possible is a really robust part of our operations. Rail buckling is kind of part of the business in some capacity. That's what we hear from other transit agencies working in the South for example, with extreme heat. 2026 May 6, “How the MBTA Handles Climate Change” (35:36 from the start), in Spilling the T (podcast), spoken by Caroline Bean, MBTA:
And thus by placing Collers vvhere ever they find the VVork buckle, they (as aforeſaid) vvith Sharp Tools, tender touches, ſomevvhat a looſe and fine String, vveak Bovv, and great care and diligence vvork the vvhole Cilinder dovvn as ſmall as they liſt, either vvith Moldings or other VVork upon it, as beſt likes them. 1680, Joseph Moxon, “Numb[er] XIII. Applied to the Art of Turning.”, in Mechanick Exercises, or The Doctrine of Handy-Works, […], volume I, London: […] Joseph Moxon, published 1678, →OCLC, § XVI (Of Turning Long and Slender Work of Ivory), page 222:
Sideways leaning, we sideways darted; every ropeyarn tingling like a wire; the two tall masts buckling like Indian canes in land tornadoes. 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “Wheelbarrow”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 66:
Perhaps as startling as the sheer toll was the devastation to some of the state's well-known locales. Boardwalks along the beach in Seaside Heights, Belmar and other towns on the Jersey Shore were blown away. Amusement parks, arcades and restaurants all but vanished. Bridges to barrier islands buckled, preventing residents from even inspecting the damage to their property. 2012 October 31, David M. Halbfinger, “New Jersey reels from storm's thrashing”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 04 Apr 2023:
(figuratively, intransitive) Of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress; to give in or give way, to yield.
Mr. Gray did tell me to-night, for certain, that the Dutch, as high as they seem, do begin to buckle; and that one man in this Kingdom did tell the King that he is offered £40,000 to make a peace, and others have been offered money also. 1664 December 26 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Pepys, Mynors Bright, transcriber, “December 17th, 1664”, in Henry B[enjamin] Wheatley, editor, The Diary of Samuel Pepys […], volume IV, London: George Bell & Sons […]; Cambridge: Deighton Bell & Co., published 1894, →OCLC, page 309:
It is amazing that he has never buckled after so many years of doing such urgent work.
pt entortar (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure) · fi antaa periksi (of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress — see also give in, give way, yield) · es doblegar (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · fr gauchir (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · de zusammenbrechen (of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress — see also give in, give way, yield) · fi kiepahtaa (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure) · de nachgeben (of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress — see also give in, give way, yield) · bg извивам се (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure) · de biegen (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · fr déformer (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · fr s’écrouler (of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress — see also give in, give way, yield) · es acombar (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · fi taivuttaa (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · bg извивам (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · io kurveskar (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure) · fr renoncer (of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress — see also give in, give way, yield) · fi vääntää (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · fr s’affaisser (of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress — see also give in, give way, yield) · el στραβώνω (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure) · it sottomettersi (of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress — see also give in, give way, yield) · fr se déformer (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure) · de sich biegen (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure) · fi nurjahtaa (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure) · es cambar (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · fr céder (of a person: to (suddenly) cease resisting pressure or stress — see also give in, give way, yield) · ru коро́бить (to cause (something) to bend, or to become distorted) · sh urušiti se (of a thing: to collapse or distort under physical pressure)