dimple - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From Middle English dimpel, dimpil, dympull, from Old English *dympel, from Proto-West Germanic *dumpil, from Proto-Germanic *dumpilaz (“sink-hole, dimple”), from Proto-Germanic *dumpaz (“hole, hollow, pit”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewb- (“deep, hollow”), equivalent to dialectal dump (“deep hole or pool”) +‎ -le (diminutive suffix).

Akin to German Low German Dümpel, German Tümpel (“pond, pool”). Related also to Old English dyppan (“to dip”).

dimple (plural dimples)

  1. A small depression or indentation in a surface.
    The accident created a dimple in the hood of the car.
  2. Specifically, a small natural depression on the skin, especially on the face near the corners of the mouth.
    You have very cute dimples.
  3. A small depression, made with a punch on a metal object, as a guide for further drilling.

small depression or indentation in generic surface

skin depression, especially at corners of the mouth

dimple (third-person singular simple present dimples, present participle dimpling, simple past and past participle dimpled)

  1. (transitive) To create a dimple in.
    The hailstorm dimpled the roof of our car.
  2. (intransitive) To create a dimple in one's face by smiling.
    The young girl dimpled in glee as she was handed a cupcake.
  3. To form dimples; to sink into depressions or little inequalities.

create a dimple in