Main Entry: ²buckle

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): buck·led; buck·ling \ˈbə-k(ə-)liŋ\

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to fasten with a buckle
2 : to prepare with vigor
3 : to cause to bend, give way, or crumpleintransitive verb 1 : to become fastened with a buckle
2 : to apply oneself with vigor —usually used with down <buckle down to the job>
3 : to bend, heave, warp, or kink usually under the influence of some external agency <wheat buckling in the wind>
4 : collapse <the props buckled under the strain>
5 : to give way : yield <he buckled under pressure>