curl

noun12

1. •
   A curving piece or lock of hair; a ringlet.

   • My hair doesn't have much curl.
2. •
   A curved stroke or shape.

   • […] the backs of their necks and their forelegs are decorated with curls and their necks and bodies are covered with fine, undulating lines. — 1995
3. •
   [in the plural] A thin, curved piece of chocolate used as decoration.
4. •
   Any exercise performed by bending the arm, wrist, or leg on the exertion against resistance, especially those that train the biceps.

   • Now do a curl and an overhead press, keeping your palms facing in. — 2007
5. •
   The concave part of a breaking wave.

   • The main object in surfing is to always remain in the curl. — 1966
6. •
   A spin making the trajectory of an object curve.

   • It is possible to use the wind which blows from the left to the right by playing well into the wind with the slightest bit of curl on the ball[…] — 1909
7. •
   Movement of a moving rock away from a straight line.
8. •
   The vector field denoting the rotationality of a given vector field.

   • In 2D, when Q is a polygonal domain, the singularities of Type (2) disappear because ψ is the scalar curl of u and is such that its vectorial curl is zero. — 1995
9. •
   The vector operator, denoted rm curl; or ⃑∇×⃑(·), that generates this field.
10. •
    A pattern where the receiver appears to be running a fly pattern but after a set number of steps or yards quickly stops and turns around, looking for a pass.
11. •
    Any of various diseases of plants causing the leaves or shoots to curl up; often specifically the potato curl.

    • These potatoes, however, planted the next year, have a fair yield, untouched by the curl. — 1840
12. •
    The contrasting light and dark figure seen in wood used for stringed instrument making; the flame.

    • The one-piece back is of a medium curl.

verb10

1. •
   To make into a curl or spiral.

   • She curls her spine; she wedges a pillow between her knees. — 2004
2. •
   To assume the shape of a curl or spiral.

   • It seemed to me that Mr. St. John's under lip protruded, and his upper lip curled a moment. — 1847
3. •
   To twist or form (the hair, etc.) into ringlets.

   • But curl their locks with bodkins and with braids — 1576
4. •
   To shape (the brim of a hat) into a curve.
5. •
   To cause to move in a curve.

   • He picked the ball up about forty yards out on the left wing, left a trail of Arsenal defenders in his wake, and curled the ball round Geoff Barnett as he came right out into the far corner. — 1998
6. •
   To move in curves.

   • Clouds curled down from the mountains. — 1977
7. •
   To exercise by bending the arm, wrist, or leg on the exertion against resistance, especially of the biceps.

   • When curling the weight, bring the barbell up toward the chin, then return it to its starting position. Keep your elbows and upper arms as immobile as possible to isolate the biceps. — 2008
8. •
   To take part in the sport of curling.

   • I curl at my local club every weekend.
9. •
   To raise in waves or undulations; to ripple.

   • Seas would be pools without the brushing air / To curl the waves. — 1700
10. •
    To deck with, or as if with, curls; to ornament.

    • Thicker than the snakie locks / That curld Megaera. — 1667

noun1

1. •
   Ellipsis of American Curl.

   • Longhaired curls should have silky coats of medium length. — 1998