Wrinkle

(rĭŋk'l), n. [A-S. wrincle, from wringan, to wring; O. D. wrinckel, Dan. rynke, Sw. rynka, Icel. hrucka, O. H. Ger. runza, runzila, M. H. Ger. runze, runzel, N. H. Ger. runzel, for rungsa, rungsel, from O. H. Ger. ringan, to wring.]

1Sense 1. A small ridge, prominence, or furrow, formed by the shrinking or contraction of any smooth substance; a corrugation; a crease; a slight fold; as, wrinkles in the face or skin; a wrinkle in cloth. “The wrinkles in my brows.” Shak.

2Sense 2. Roughness; unevenness.

Not the least wrinkle to deform the sky. Dryden.

3Sense 3. A notion or fancy; a whim; as, to have a new wrinkle. [Collog.]

(rĭnk′l), v. t. [imp. & p. p. WRINKLED; p. pr. & vb. n. WRINKLING.] [A-S. wrinclian, O. D. wrynckelen, Dan. rynke, Sw. rynka, Icel. hrucka.]

1Sense 1. To contract into furrows and prominences; to corrugate; as, to wrinkle the skin; to wrinkle the brow. “Sport that wrinkled Care derides.” Milton. “Her wrinkled form in black and white arrayed.” Pope.

2Sense 2. To make rough or uneven.

A keen north wind, blowing dry, Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decayed. Milton.

3Sense 3. To wriggle; to writhe. [Obs. and rare.]

To wrinkle at, to show contempt toward; to sneer at. [Obs. and rare.] Marston.