wimple Meaning, Definition & Usage

Wim"ple noun

Etymology

OE. wimpel, AS. winpel; akin to D. & G. wimpel a pennant, streamer, OHG. wimpal a veil, Icel. vimpill, Dan. & Sw. vimpel a pennant, streamer; of uncertain origin. Cf. Gimp.

Definitions

1. A covering of silk, linen, or other material, for the neck and chin, formerly worn by women as an outdoor protection, and still retained in the dress of nuns.

   Full seemly her wympel ipinched is. Chaucer.

   For she had laid her mournful stole aside, And widowlike sad wimple thrown away. Spenser.

   Then Vivian rose, And from her brown-locked head the wimple throws. M. Arnold.

2. A flag or streamer. Weale.

Wim"ple transitive verb

Wordforms

imperfect & past participle Wimpled ; present participle & verbal noun Wimpling

Definitions

1. To clothe with a wimple; to cover, as with a veil; hence, to hoodwink. "She sat ywympled well." Chaucer.

   This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy. Shak.

2. To draw down, as a veil; to lay in folds or plaits, as a veil.
3. To cause to appear as if laid in folds or plaits; to cause to ripple or undulate; as, the wind wimples the surface of water.

Wim"ple intransitive verb

Definitions

1. To lie in folds; also, to appear as if laid in folds or plaits; to ripple; to undulate. "Wimpling waves." Longfellow.

   For with a veil, that wimpled everywhere, Her head and face was hid. Spenser.

   With me through . . . meadows stray, Where wimpling waters make their way. Ramsay.