adj., n., & v.
--adj.
1. hard but brittle.
2 a (of air) bracing. b (of a style or manner) lively, brisk and decisive. c (of features etc.) neat and clear-cut. d (of paper) stiff and crackling. e (of hair) closely curling.
--n.
1. (in full potato crisp) Brit. a thin fried slice of potato sold in packets etc. and eaten as a snack or appetizer.
2 a thing overdone in roasting etc. (burnt to a crisp).
--v.tr. & intr.
1. make or become crisp.
2 curl in short stiff folds or waves.
Derivatives:
crisply adv. crispness n.
Etymology: OE f. L crispus curled