n.
Function: verb
Inflected Form: buck · led ; buck · ling \ ' b ə -k( ə -)li ŋ \
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to fasten with a buckle
2 : to prepare with vigor
3 : to cause to bend, give way, or crumple
intransitive verb
1 : to become fastened with a buckle
2 : to apply oneself with vigor ― usually used with down < buckle down to the job>
3 : to bend, heave, warp, or kink usually under the influence of some external agency <wheat buckling in the wind>
4 : COLLAPSE <the props buckled under the strain>
5 : to give way : YIELD <he buckled under pressure>