Crimp (krimp), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Crimped (krimt; 215); p. pr. & vb. n. Crimping.] [Akin to D. krimpen to shrink, shrivel, Sw. krympa, Dan. krympe, and to E. cramp. See Cramp.]
1.
To fold or plait in regular undulation in such a way that the material will retain the shape intended; to give a wavy appearance to; as, to crimp the border of a cap; to crimp a ruffle. Cf. Crisp.
The comely hostess in a crimped cap.
W. Irving.
2.
To pinch and hold; to seize.
3. Hence,
to entrap into the military or naval service; as, to crimp seamen.
Coaxing and courting with intent to crimp him.
Carlyle.
4. (Cookery)
To cause to contract, or to render more crisp, as the flesh of a fish, by gashing it, when living, with a knife; as, to crimp skate, etc.
Crimping house, a low lodging house, into which men are decoyed and plied with drink, to induce them to ship or enlist as sailors or soldiers. --
Crimping iron.
(a) An iron instrument for crimping and curling the hair.
(b) A crimping machine. --
Crimping machine, a machine with fluted rollers or with dies, for crimping ruffles, leather, iron, etc. --
Crimping pin, an instrument for crimping or puckering the border of a lady's cap.
© Webster 1913
Crimp, a.
1.
Easily crumbled; friable; brittle. [R.]
Now the fowler . . . treads the crimp earth.
J. Philips.
2.
Weak; inconsistent; contradictory. [R.]
The evidence is crimp; the witnesses swear backward and forward, and contradict themselves.
Arbuthnot.
© Webster 1913
Crimp, n.
1.
A coal broker. [Prov. Eng.] De Foe.
2.
One who decoys or entraps men into the military or naval service. Marryat.
3.
A keeper of a low lodging house where sailors and emigrants are entrapped and fleeced.
4.
Hair which has been crimped; -- usually in pl.
5.
A game at cards. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Boot crimp. See under Boot.
© Webster 1913
Crimp, v. t. (Firearms)
In cartridge making, to fold the edge of (a cartridge case) inward so as to close the mouth partly and confine the charge.
© Webster 1913