Past tense of buckle; secured or fastened with a buckle, or bent/warped under pressure or stress. Can also mean collapsed or gave way under strain.
From Old French 'boucle' meaning ring or boss of a shield, from Latin 'buccula' (little cheek), diminutive of 'bucca' (cheek). Originally referred to the cheek-guard of a helmet, later to any similar fastening device.
The word 'buckle' has a fascinating journey from 'little cheek' in Latin to a fastening device, because early buckles were shaped like the rounded part of a cheek or the boss of a shield. The dual meaning of fastening securely versus collapsing under pressure creates interesting wordplay possibilities.
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