[f. CURL v.1 + -ING1.]
1. The action of the verb CURL, q.v.; a curl, twist, undulation.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 111/1. Curlynge of here, crispitudo.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 651. Curling on the Sides; as in Lettuce and young Cabbage.
1656. Artif. Handsom., 63. The curlings of Ladies haire.
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 111. You will find a … Curling on that place upon the stuff.
2. A game played on the ice (on a curling-pond, or other smooth frozen surface) in which large rounded stones (see CURLING-STONE) are hurled along a defined space called the rink towards a mark called the tee. The game has undergone considerable developments in Scotland since the 17th c., and has now been introduced elsewhere, where climatic conditions are favorable.
It appears in its earlier form to have been akin to Quoits, but has now more analogy with Bowls, with modifications consequent upon the situation. A game similar to it in its early form appears in Flanders a. 1600; Kilian has kluyten kalluyten, ‘ludere massis siue globis glaciatis; certare discis in æquore glaciato,’ to play a match with quoits on a smooth surface of ice. The name appears to describe the motion given to the stone. In Flemish the name krullebol (curl-bowl) is given, apparently from its motion, to the wooden bowl with which a somewhat similar game bolspel is played in an alley.
1620. [see CURLING-STONE].
1684. in Fountainhall, Decis. Lords of Council (1759), I. 328. He was playing at the curling with Riddel of Haining.
1693. J. Wallace, Descr. Orkney, 9–10. Copinsha,… in which … are to be found in great plentie, excellent stones for the Game called Curling. [Hence in Camden’s Brit. ed. 1695.]
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 154. The diversion of Curling is … peculiar to the Scots. It is performed upon ice, with large flat stones.
1890. J. Kerr, Hist. Curling, ii. 27–8. Curling, when first practised, appears to have been a kind of quoiting on the ice…. Coiting, kuting, or quoiting, was for a long time the word in common use to describe the game, and in some districts it is still applied to it.
3. attrib. and Comb. a. Relating to or used for curling the hair, as curling-bodkin, -paper, -pin, -tongs; CURLING-IRON.
1610. Guillim, Heraldry, IV. viii. (1611), 206. Combes, glasses, Head-brushes, curling-bodkings, &c.
1868. ‘Holme Lee,’ B. Godfrey, III. li. 46. Turtell snatched up a pair of cold curling tongs.
b. Of or pertaining to the game of curling, as curling-club, -house, -match, -pond; CURLING-STONE.
1814. Sporting Mag., XLIII. 193. A curling match took place upon the ice.
1864. A. McKay, Hist. Kilmarnock, 116. [It] was sometimes converted into a curling-pond.
1890. J. Kerr, Hist. Curling, 375. Order in the curling-house is a proof that the club is well managed.
