Crimping: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The term 'crimp' comes from the Middle English word 'crympen', meaning 'to bend or curl'.
• Initially used in the late 16th century, it referred to bending in structures or materials before evolving into fashion and hairstyling.
• In the 19th century, crimping also described the technique used in textiles to create a textured surface.

Cultural Significance

• The crimping technique became popular in the 1980s during the rise of punk rock, where wild, textured hairstyles were a form of self-expression.
• In the 18th century, crimped hairstyles were all the rage among European nobility, leading to larger-than-life wigs that sometimes took hours to style.
• Crimping has also influenced fashion, with the term extending to fabric manipulation, adding volume and flair to dresses and costumes.

Science

• The physical process of crimping alters the structure of hair or fabric, which can change how light reflects off surfaces, often enhancing visual appeal.
• In a scientific context, crimping refers to the process of folding or compressing materials, which can influence their physical properties, such as elasticity.
• Certain hair types, like curly or wavy, can be enhanced with crimping tools, demonstrating how thermal and mechanical energy can reshape hair.

Literature

• Crimping is often used in literature as a metaphor for transformation or change, symbolizing characters undergoing significant personal growth.
• Classic novels from the Victorian era often depicted characters with crimped hair as fashionable and sophisticated, illustrating social status.
• In contemporary poetry, crimping can be associated with the concept of irregularity and uniqueness, reflecting the beauty of individuality.

Art

• Artists often employ crimping techniques in sculpture and textile art to introduce texture and depth to their works.
• The visual effect of crimped materials can evoke emotions in the viewer, highlighting the interplay between chaos and order.
• Crimping has influenced contemporary art, where artists use altered fabrics to create installations that challenge perceptions of traditional art forms.

This word's position of #30,871 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 30868 diagrammed
• 30869 disparagingly
• 30870 primitivism
• 30871 crimping
• 30872 ceremoniously
• 30873 fonder
• 30874 proofed
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