I. ˈkrakəl verb
( crackled ; crackled ; crackling -k(ə)liŋ ; crackles )
Etymology: freq. of crack (I)
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make small sharp sudden repeated noises
a fire crackling in the hearth
the dry leaves crackled along the walk
b. : to be alive (as with animation, enthusiasm, excitement, suspense) : sparkle
an anthology that crackles with wit and wisdom — Bennett Cerf
the very air, charged by an invisible generator, crackles with new business — Clifton Fadiman
2. : to develop a surface network of fine cracks
varnish applied over wet paint is likely to crackle
: become cracked
his face was so dry and grimy that he thought he could feel his skin crackle — Stephen Crane
transitive verb
1. : to crush or crack with a series of sharp snapping noises
thrust her hand between a sheaf of loosened papers and crackled them — Rosamond Langbridge
2. : to detach or curtail (a note or chord) in lute music
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : the noise of slight and frequent cracks or reports
the crackle of small arms
the crackle of laughter
the crackle as he folded his newspaper
b. : sparkle , effervescence
the dry crackle of Yankee wit — Clifton Fadiman
2.
a. : a network of fine cracks on an otherwise smooth surface (as on pottery and glassware — compare craze
b. : a painted surface in which numerous fine cracks have been caused by superimposition of layers which contract differently in the process of drying
3. : crackling 2b