▪ I. runkle, n. Sc. and † north.
(ˈrʌŋk(ə)l)
Forms: 4 runkel, 4, 6 -il, 5 -ylle, 6 -ill; 4 roncle, 6, 9 runcle, 8– runkle.
[prob. of Scand. origin: cf. Norw. dial. rukla (for *rukkla), dim. of rukka, ON. hrukka (see ruck n.2), related to MSw. rynkia, Sw. rynka, Da. rynke.]
A wrinkle, crease.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 18840 His for-hed [was] fair, wemless to sight, Wit-vten ani runkel slight. 1483 Cath. Angl. 313/2 A Runkylle, ruga. 1513 Douglas æneis vii. viii. 26 Hir forryt scoryt wyth runclys and mony rat. 1581 J. Hamilton in Cath. Tract. (S.T.S.) 99 Not haifing ony spot, runkill or ony vthir sic blot. 1721 Ramsay Prospect of Plenty 201 ‘'Till age and runkles shaw Their canker'd spirit's good for nought at a’. 1737 ― Sc. Prov. (1750) 107 We may ken your eild by the runkles of your horn. 1808 in Jamieson. |
▪ II. † ˈrunkle, a. Obs.—1
In 5 runcul, runcle.
[Cf. prec.]
Wrinkled.
| c 1440 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 699 Compact a runcul [v.r. runcle] nek, dewlapped side Vnto the kne. |
▪ III. ˈrunkle, v. Sc. and † north. (also rarely colloq.).
Also 4 rouncle, 5 runkylle.
[Related to runkle n.]
intr. and trans. To wrinkle, rumple. Also with up.
| c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 773 Þan waxes his gaste seke and sare, And his face rouncles, ay mare and mare. 1483 Cath. Angl. 313/2 To Runkylle, rugare, conrugare. 1721 Ramsay Elegy on Patie Birnie xii, He catch'd a crishy webster loun At runkling o' his deary's gown. 1808 Jamieson, Runkle,..to crease, to crumple. 1827 J. Wilson Noct. Ambr. Wks. 1855 I. 307 Ilka ane by itsel in far awa spats, whare the grass runkled only to the shepherd's foot. 1929 E. Bowen Joining Charles 188 She..pulled down the sofa loose-cover where it had ‘runkled’ up. 1958 M. Allingham Hide my Eyes viii. 85 He looked so neglected with his green tights runkled round his ankles. |