Buc″kle (�), n. [OE. bocle buckle, boss of a shield, OF. bocle, F. boucle, boss of a shield, ring, fr. L. buccula a little cheek or mouth, dim. of bucca cheek; this boss or knob resembling a cheek.] 1. A device, usually of metal, consisting of a frame with one more movable tongues or catches, used for fastening things together, as parts of dress or harness, by means of a strap passing through the frame and pierced by the tongue.
2. A distortion bulge, bend, or kink, as in a saw blade or a plate of sheet metal. Knight.
3. A curl of hair, esp. a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also, the state of being curled.
Earlocks in tight buckles on each side of a lantern face.
W. Irving.
Lets his wig lie in buckle for a whole half year.
Addison.
4. A contorted expression, as of the face.
'Gainst nature armed by gravity,
His features too in buckle see.
Churchill.