▪ I. ˈdimpling, vbl. n.
[f. as prec. + -ing1.]
The action of the verb dimple (usually in intr. sense).
| 1602 Beaumont Hermaphrodite Wks. (Rtldg.) II. 700/1 She prais'd the pretty dimpling of his skin. 1771 Goldsm. Prol. Craddock's Zobeide 5 While botanists all cold to smiles and dimpling, Forsake the fair, and patiently—go simpling. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk., Spectre Bridegroom I. 338 A soft dimpling of the cheek. |
▪ II. ˈdimpling, ppl. a.
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That dimples; that forms or breaks into dimples.
| 1735 Somerville Chase iv. 407 Ev'ry..hollow Rock, that o'er the dimpling Flood Nods pendant. 1795 F. Burney Let. 18 June, When I look at my dear baby, and see its dimpling smiles. 1824 W. Irving T. Trav. I. 295 A trim, well made, tempting girl, with a roguish dimpling face. 1844 Faber Sir Lancelot (1857) 7 With..dimpling globes of nuphar netted o'er. |