▪ I. wrinkling, vbl. n.
(ˈrɪŋklɪŋ)
[f. the stem of OE. ᵹewrinclod (see wrinkled a.) + -ing1.]
† 1. A twisting or coiling; a sinuosity. Obs.
| 1387 Trevisa Higden I. 9 As laborintus..haþ many..wyndynges and wrynkelynges, þat wil nouȝt be vnwarled. 1535 Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. xvii. clxxiii, A good smellynge smoke,..full meuable, and tornynge, and crokyd with many bendynges and wrynklynges. |
2. The action of creasing, puckering, or contracting into wrinkles; the fact of becoming corrugated or rivelled.
| 1528 Paynell Salerne's Regim. C iij, Retraction and wrynkelynge together of the veynes. 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. ii. 346 A certaine contraction and wrinckling..of the orifice. 1617 Moryson Itin. iii. 173 The Curtizans make all the forepart of their gownes in like manner open, to avoid wrinckling. 1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Dict. (ed. 2) 111/2 The wrinkling of the lower part of the Vagina. 1698 Phil. Trans. XX. 174 If the Fly had been Dead for some while..I could have observed none of this Wrinkling. 1859 Habits of Gd. Society iii. 149 A peculiar wrinkling [of the trousers] from the foot to the knee. 1885 Riverside Nat. Hist. (1888) II. 268 [The] degree of wrinkling of the back of the mesothorax. 1888 Cornh. Mag. Jan. 40 Wrinklings of the crust..gave rise at first to baby mountain ranges. |
| transf. 1875 Browning Aristoph. Apol. 120 The olive-leaves curl, violets crisp and close Like a nymph's wrinkling at the bath's first splash. |
| attrib. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech. 2822 Wrinkling-machine,..one to wrinkle transversely the upper leathers of boots and shoes. |
3. concr. A series or collection of wrinkles; a puckered surface, formation, etc.
| 1495 Trevisa's Barth. De P.R. v. lxiii. (W. de W.) l viij, Y⊇ fatnes..stretchyth oute the wrynkelynge of the skynne. 1579 Langham Gard. Health 379 The shriueled wrincklings y{supt} appeare on womens bellies after their deliuerance. 1628 W. Folkingham Panala Med. 66 It clenses the Ventricle from..Crudities sticking to its rugosities and wrinklings. 1857 P. P. Carpenter Cat. Mazatlan Shells 225 The first whirl..is characterized by extremely minute wrinkling over the whole surface, only discernible..when quite fresh. 1905 H. G. Wells Kipps iii. iii. §6 Such wrinkling of brow and mouth as only an experienced actor can produce. |
b. spec. (See quot.)
| 1894 Amer. Dict. Printing 588/1 Wrinkling, an uneven surface in a book, caused by not being properly backed or pressed, or occasioned by dampness. |
▪ II. ˈwrinkling, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
1. Causing or forming creases or wrinkles.
| 1601 ? Marston Pasquil & Kath. ii. 69 The wrinkling print of Time err'd when it seal'd my forehead vp with age. 1756 Mason Odes 16 To thee, whose..polish'd brow The wrinkling hand of Sorrow spares. 1820 Shelley Prometh. Unb. i. i. 62 Ye icy Springs, stagnant with wrinkling frost. 1834 Ainsworth Rookwood i. i, A wrinkling smile crossed the sexton's brow. 1851 Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi Wind. ii. 49 We..took thy wrinkling cares For ruffling hopes, and called thee weak. |
2. Undergoing marking with, characterized by, wrinkles or creases.
| 1791 E. Darwin Bot. Gard. i. 113 Glad Echo..Her wrinkling founts with soft vibration shakes. 1820 Keats Hyperion i. 100 This wrinkling brow, Naked and bare of its great diadem. 1839 Bailey Festus 27 The wrinkling stalk of Time. 1881 Cable Mme. Delphine iv. 13 Furniture..carved just enough to give the notion of wrinkling pleasantry. |
† 3. Wriggling, writhing. Obs. rare—1.
| 1653 Lauson Dennys' Secr. Angling 21 There be divers wayes to catch the wrinkling Eele. |