crimp

 
Pronunciation: /krɪmp/

verb

[with object]
  • 1compress (something) into small folds or ridges: she crimped the edge of the pie
  • connect (a wire or cable) by squeezing the end or ends: pliers will crimp wires together
  • (often as adjective crimped) make waves in (someone’s hair) with a hot iron: crimped blonde hair
  • 2North American informal have a limiting or adverse effect on (something): his zeal about his career can crimp the rest of his life

noun

  • 1a folded or compressed edge.
  • a small connecting piece for crimping wires or lines together.
  • 2North American informal a restriction or limitation: the crimp on take-home pay has been even tighter since taxes were raised

Phrases

put a crimp in

North American informal have an adverse effect on: well, that puts a crimp in my theory

Derivatives

crimpy

adjective

Origin:

Old English gecrympan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch krimpen 'shrink, wrinkle'. Of rare occurrence before the 18th century, the word was perhaps reintroduced from Low German or Dutch