释义 |
dim·ple I. \ˈdimpəl\ noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English dympull; akin to Old High German tumphilo whirlpool, Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip 1. : a slight natural indentation or hollow in the surface of some part of the human body (as on a cheek or the chin) 2. : a depression or indentation on any surface < the pool's dark surface breaks into dimples — William Wordsworth > specifically : such a depression in a building material (as for the recessing of nailheads) 3. : a slight mound in a building material (as for the holding of metal lath away from the flat surface to which it is applied in plastering) II. verb (dimpled ; dimpled ; dimpling \-p(ə)liŋ\ ; dimples) transitive verb 1. : to produce dimples in : mark with dimples < large, heavy drops that dimpled the smooth stream — Marguerite Steen > 2. : to form a conical depression around (a rivet hole in sheet metal) in order to countersink the rivet head intransitive verb : to exhibit or form dimples especially in the cheeks in the act of smiling < she dimpled up at them, shyly — Mary McCarthy > : ripple or break into ripples < a little stream that ran dimpling all the way > |