Word: crimp (verb)

Associations

"Crimp" means to press or pinch something into a shape, often creating a fold or a wave. It is commonly used in cooking and crafting.

• Example 1: "She used a fork to crimp the edges of the pie crust." This shows how crimping helps seal the pie.
• Example 2: "He crimped the wire to make it fit into the connector." This illustrates how crimping can be used in electrical work.
• Example 3: "The hairdresser crimped her hair for a special event." Here, crimping refers to styling hair in waves.

A well-known synonym for "crimp" is "fold." However, "fold" is more general and does not imply the same kind of pressing or pinching action that "crimp" does.

Substitution

Instead of "crimp," you might use:

• "pinch" (more general, can refer to squeezing something)
• "fold" (does not imply pressing as much)
• "pleat" (specifically refers to folding fabric in a decorative way)

Each of these words can change the meaning slightly, depending on the context.

Deconstruction

The root of "crimp" comes from the Middle English word "crympen," meaning to bend or curl. It does not have a prefix or suffix. The word has a long history in English, often related to textiles and hair styling.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you crimped something? What was it, and why did you do it?
• In what other contexts might you use the word "crimp"? Can you think of different activities or crafts where crimping might be useful?