Definition of Curlicue

1. Noun. A round shape formed by a series of concentric circles (as formed by leaves or flower petals).

Exact synonyms: Coil, Curl, Gyre, Ringlet, Roll, Scroll, Whorl
Specialized synonyms: Corolla, Calyx, Verticil
Generic synonyms: Round Shape
Derivative terms: Coil, Coil, Curl, Curl, Curl, Roll, Roll, Roll

2. Noun. A short twisting line.
Exact synonyms: Squiggle
Generic synonyms: Line
Derivative terms: Squiggly

Definition of Curlicue

1. Noun. A fancy twisting or curling shape made from a series of concentric circles. ¹

2. Verb. (transitive and intransitive) To make or adorn (something) with curlicues, or as if with curlicues ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Curlicue

1. to decorate with curlicues (fancy spiral figures) [v -CUED, -CUING, -CUES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Curlicue

curl someone's hair
curl up
curled
curled pondweed
curled up
curledness
curler
curlers
curlest
curleth
curlew
curlew sandpiper
curlewlike
curlews
curleyleaf pondweed
curlicue (current term)
curlicue fractal
curlicue ureter
curlicued
curlicues
curlicuing
curlier
curlies
curliest
curlily
curliness
curlinesses
curling
curling iron
curling irons

Literary usage of Curlicue

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Gideon's Band: A Tale of the Mississippi by George Washington Cable (1914)
"... and de curlicue, De daddy-long-legs and de buggaboo. Do you belong ?" He stepped quickly from the "stage." The curtains drew apart. ..."

2. Ten-Minute Activities, Grades 1-3by Martha Cheney, Marilyn Evans, Susan Kunze by Martha Cheney, Marilyn Evans, Susan Kunze (2001)
"(circle face, two eyes, one curlicue, and a body) 3. ... No, it has no curlicue. 5. As time permits, allow students to draw their own figures (either Curly ..."

3. Thinking Skills, Grades 1-2by Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, Jill Norris by Evan-Moor Educational Publishers, Jill Norris (2002)
"(They each have a circle face, two eyes, one curlicue, no facial features other ... The third has no curlicue.) Practicing the Skill Students complete the ..."

4. The Red Fairy Book by Andrew Lang, Lancelot Speed, Henry Justice Ford (1895)
"... and when he rose and saw his new reflection in the mirrors which surrounded him, he understood that curlicue was indeed gone for ever. ..."

5. Notes and Queries by Martim de Albuquerque (1862)
"... Here lyeth the body of Elizabeth Pordage, the Best Friend, the Best Companion, the Best of Wiues, curlicue and humble in her carriage, holy in her life. ..."

6. Punch by Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman (1874)
"... right i' the middle o' the throat-thing, just a twist, A curlicue—to call it what it is— (Can't spell it for the life o' me, though, ..."

7. The Monist by Hegeler Institute (1892)
"... the laws of mechanics, a sufficiently powerful mind could deduce from these data the precise form of every curlicue of every letter I am now writing. ..."

8. The Century (1902)
"Mrs. Jones flung off the last green curlicue, and scraped her knife against the pan. " Why, I never have," she said. " Mr. Jones has never seemed to want ..."

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