crispenv.
/ˈkrɪspən/ 1. transitive. To make (more) crisp.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > weakness > make weak [verb (transitive)] > make brittle > make crisp
crisp1815
crispen1961
1961 Webster's 3rd New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Crispen,..to make crisp.
1977 Washington Post 6 May d13 Hatched lines remain distinct rather than coalescing into dark forms. The fact that they are held distinct by the paper allows Rembrandt to crispen and clarify the lines of the image.
1985 Christian Sci. Monitor 19 Sept. 17/1 Fall is a favorite time of hikers: Woods and mountains undulate with long files of people as autumn's tang crispens the air.
2007 N. Capon Marketing Mavens viii. 220 Oracle takes great pains ‘to crispen everything down’ to the essentials.
2. intransitive. To become crisp(er).
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > weakness > give way under force or pressure [verb (intransitive)] > become crisp
crisp1805
crispen1961
1961 Webster's 3rd New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Crispen,..to become crisp.
1984 Financial Times 15 Sept. 11/6 Wash the lettuce leaves and place them in the refrigerator to crispen until needed.
2007 Food on Move (Pret a Manger) 259 Make the bacon wind around the [asparagus] stems so that the fatty bits are uppermost and have a chance to crispen.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1989; most recently modified version published online September 2018).
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v.1961