ˈcrinkle-ˈcrankle, n., a. and adv. Chiefly dial.
[Frequentative reduplication of crankle: cf. cringle-crangle.]
A. n. A winding in and out, a zigzag, sinuosity.
| 1598 Florio, Sinuoso..that is full of creekes, bosomes, or crinkle-crankles. 1620 Thomas Lat. Dict., Sinuosus..that hath many turnings..full of crinckle cranckles. |
B. adj. and adv. (Twisting) in and out, zigzag.
| 1840 Spurdens Suppl. Voc. E. Anglia, Crincle-crancle adv., like a corkscrew. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Crinkle-crankle, Crinklety-cranklety, adv., zig-zag. 1881 Leicestersh. Gloss., Crinkle-crankle adj. and adv., zig-zag; sinuous. |
Hence crinkle-crankled ppl. a. † crincledum and crancledum, tortuously.
| 1858 Motley Corr. 4 July, With a wonderful profusion of gilt flaxen crinkle-crankled hair. 1660 H. Peters in Bp. Kennett Register 35 This was still the Lord's right way who led His people crincledum and crancledum. |