Wimple | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Wĭm'ple, n.

noun

(wĭm'pl), n. [O. H. Ger. wimpal, a light garment; M. H. Ger. wimpel, a vail; N. H. Ger. & D. wimpel, a pennon, streamer; Dan. & Sw. vimpel, id. Cf. GIMP.]

Sense 1. A covering of silk, linen, or other material, laid in folds, for the neck, chin, and sides of the face, formerly worn by women as an out-door covering, and still retained in the dress of nuns in conventual costume; a sort of vail or hood. Fairholt.

She had laid her mournful stole aside, And widow-like, sad wimple thrown away. Spenser.

Sense 2. A flag or streamer. Weale.

Wĭm'ple, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. WIMPLED; p. pr. & vb. n. WIMPLING.]

Sense 1. To draw down, as a vail; to lay in folds or plaits, as a vail; to cover as with a vail; hence, to hoodwink.

With a vail, that wimpled every where, Her head and face was hid. Spenser.

A domineering pedant o'er the boy, Than whom no mortal so magnificent! This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy. Shak.

Sense 2. To cause to appear as if laid in folds or plaits; to cause to ripple or undulate; as, the wind wimples the surface of water.

Wĭm'ple, v. i.

verbintransitive

To appear as if laid in folds or plaits; to ripple; to undulate. “The wimpling waves of their margin.” Longfellow.

With me through . . . meadows stray, Where wimpling waters make their way. Ramsay.