Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) 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. (n.) A distortion bulge, bend, or kink, as in a saw blade or a plate of sheet metal. 3. (n.) A curl of hair, esp. a kind of crisp curl formerly worn; also, the state of being curled. 4. (n.) A contorted expression, as of the face. 5. (n.) To fasten or confine with a buckle or buckles; as, to buckle a harness. 6. (n.) To bend; to cause to kink, or to become distorted. 7. (n.) To prepare for action; to apply with vigor and earnestness; -- generally used reflexively. 8. (n.) To join in marriage. 9. (v. i.) To bend permanently; to become distorted; to bow; to curl; to kink. 10. (v. i.) To bend out of a true vertical plane, as a wall. 11. (v. i.) To yield; to give way; to cease opposing. 12. (v. i.) To enter upon some labor or contest; to join in close fight; to struggle; to contend. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BUCKLE buk'-'-l (porpe): As a mark of favor Jonathan Maccabeus was presented by Alexander Balas with a buckle of gold (1 Maccabees 10:89), the wearing of which was restricted to the blood royal. The buckle was used for fastening the mantle or outer robe on the shoulder or chest.