— crisply , adv. — crispness , n.
/krisp/ , adj., crisper, crispest , v. , n.
adj.
1. (esp. of food) hard but easily breakable; brittle: crisp toast.
2. (esp. of food) firm and fresh; not soft or wilted: a crisp leaf of lettuce.
3. brisk; sharp; clear; decided: a crisp reply.
4. lively; pithy; sparkling: crisp repartee.
5. clean-cut, neat, and well-pressed; well-groomed.
6. bracing; invigorating: crisp air.
7. crinkled, wrinkled, or rippled, as skin or water.
8. in small, stiff, or firm curls; curly.
v.t. , v.i.
9. to make or become crisp.
10. to curl.
n.
11. Chiefly Brit. See potato chip .
12. a dessert of fruit, as apples or apricots, baked with a crunchy mixture, usually of bread crumbs, chopped nutmeats, butter, and brown sugar.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE crispus curled ]
Syn. 6. brisk, fresh, nippy.