Part 2589

<i>Knight.</i>

<h1>Crippling</h1> <Xpage=345>

<hw>Crip"pling</hw> <tt>(-pl?ng)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>Spars or timbers set up as a support against the side of a building.</def>

<h1>Cripply</h1> <Xpage=345>

<hw>Crip"ply</hw> <tt>(-pl?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Lame; disabled; in a crippled condition.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Mrs. Trollope.</i>

<h1>Crisis</h1> <Xpage=345>

<hw>Cri"sis</hw> <tt>(kr?"s?s)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt>; <plu>pl. <plw>Crises</plw> <tt>(-s<?/z)</tt>.</plu> <ety>[L. <ets>crisis</ets>, Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/, fr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ to separate. See <er>Certain</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The point of time when it is to be decided whether any affair or course of action must go on, or be modified or terminate; the decisive moment; the turning point.</def>

<blockquote>This hour's the very <b>crisis</b> of your fate. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The very times of <b>crisis</b> for the fate of the country. <i>Brougham.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <fld>(Med.)</fld> <def>That change in a disease which indicates whether the result is to be recovery or death; sometimes, also, a striking change of symptoms attended by an outward manifestation, as by an eruption or sweat.</def>

<blockquote>Till some safe <b>crisis</b> authorize their skill. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Crisp</h1> <Xpage=345>

<hw>Crisp</hw> <tt>(kr?sp)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[AS. <ets>crisp</ets>, fr. L. <ets>crispus</ets>; cf. <ets>carpere</ets> to pluck, card (wool), and E. <ets>harvest</ets>. Cf. <er>Crape</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Curling in stiff curls or ringlets; <as>as, <ex>crisp</ex> hair</as>.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Curled with the ripple of the water.</def> <mark>[Poetic]</mark>

<blockquote>You numphs called Naiads, of the winding brooks . . . Leave jour <b>crisp</b> channels. <i>Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>Brittle; friable; in a condition to break with a short, sharp fracture; <as>as, <ex>crisp</ex> snow</as>.</def>

<blockquote>The cakes at tea ate short and <b>crisp</b>. <i>Goldsmith.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>Possessing a certain degree of firmness and freshness; in a fresh, unwilted condition.</def>

<blockquote>It [laurel] has been plucked nine months, and yet looks as hale and <b>crisp</b> as if it would last ninety years. <i>Leigh Hunt.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>Lively; sparking; effervescing.</def>

<blockquote>Your neat <b>crisp</b> claret. <i>Beau & Fl.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>Brisk; crackling; cheerful; lively.</def>

<blockquote>The snug, small room, and the <b>crisp</b> fire. <i>Dickens.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Crisp</h1> <Xpage=345>

<hw>Crisp</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Crisped</er> <tt>(kr?spt)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Crisping</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[L. <ets>crispare</ets>, fr. <ets>crispus</ets>. See <er>Crisp</er>. <tt>a.</tt> ]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To curl; to form into ringlets, as hair, or the nap of cloth; to interweave, as the branches of trees.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To cause to undulate irregularly, as crape or water; to wrinkle; to cause to ripple. Cf. <er>Crimp</er>.</def>

<blockquote>The lover with the myrtle sprays Adorns his <b>crisped</b> tresses. <i>Drayton.</i></blockquote>