I. ˈriŋkəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, back-formation from wrinkled twisted, winding, probably from Old English gewrinclod, past participle of gewrinclian to wind, from ge- (perfective and collective prefix) + -wrinclian to wind; akin to Old English wrencan to twist — more at co- , wrench
1. : a small ridge, prominence, or furrow especially when formed on a surface by the shrinking or contraction of a smooth substance : a slight fold : corrugation , crease
wrinkles in cloth
as
a. : a small crease or ridge in the skin especially when due to age, care, or fatigue
a withered face, with the shiny skin all drawn into wrinkles — Arnold Bennett
also : loose pendulous folds of skin on the forehead and cheeks of some dogs
a bloodhound with excellent wrinkle
b. : a ripple on the surface of a liquid
c. : a ridge or fold as a topographical configuration
a slight wrinkle on the surface of the ice cap — P.E.Victor
2.
a. : method , technique ; also : information about a method : suggestion , hint
welcomed the wrinkle about ruling a fine line with a knife edge through carbon paper — Publishers' Weekly
learning countless little wrinkles on how to care for clothes in winter — Theodora Stanwell-Fletcher
b. : an innovation in method, technique, or equipment : a change in customary procedure or attitude
the sit-down strike, an obstructionist wrinkle imported from abroad — Current History
a new wrinkle whereby the exhaust gases are used to spin small turbines geared direct to the propeller shaft — P.J.C.Friedlander
3. : fault , blemish
undertook to defend the Church with all her wrinkles — V.G.Kiernan
II. verb
( wrinkled ; wrinkled ; wrinkling -k(ə)liŋ ; wrinkles )
intransitive verb
1. : to be or become marked with or contracted into wrinkles : become puckered or shrink into furrows and ridges
the corners of her eyes wrinkling with amusement — Morley Callaghan
his stomach wrinkled up like an unpropped wall collapsing on its own foundations — Liam O'Flaherty
2. : to move or become moved in slight furrows, waves, or coils
his pajama jacket had wrinkled up to his chin — Alan Moorehead
a single wave starts lightly and easily shoreward, wrinkling between reeds — Theodore Roethke
transitive verb
1. : to contract into furrows and prominences : make wrinkles in : corrugate , crease , pucker
a homemade pink voile dress … wrinkled as tissue paper — Eudora Welty
young mountain belts, where … the earth has recently been wrinkled and cracked — Howel Williams
2. : to form wrinkles in the integument of or surrounding
wrinkle her nose appreciatively — Elizabeth Goudge
wrinkling up his face as though he had already forgotten — P.H.Newby
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by alteration
dialect : winkle