[prob. f. CRINKLE v., but the sb. may be the earlier: cf. Du. and LG. krinkel curve, flexure, crookedness, curvature, dim. of kring, krink circle, etc.]
1. A twist, winding or sinuosity; a wrinkle or corrugation, as in a rumpled or rippling surface.
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden, 50. The vnflattered picture of Pedantisme, that hath no one smile or crinkle more than it should.
1598. Florio, Tortuoso, crooked, winding, full of crinkles and crankles.
1621–51. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. i. II. iv. 17. Ilion the third [gut], which consists of many crinckles.
1768–74. Tucker, Lt. Nat. (1852), I. 563. The crinkles in this glass making objects appear double.
1871. Miss Braddon, Lovels, xvi. 128. To blow the crinkles out of their luxuriant hair.
1885. J. Runciman, Skippers & Shellbacks, 2. His oilskins and sou’wester poured multitudinous streams from all their crinkles as he walked.
† 2. A ring or circle. Obs. rare–1. (Cf. CRINGLE.)
1703. Art’s Improv., I. 19. Of the Crincles or Rings which are seen at the end of Trees when Saw’d off.
