crackling
[krak-ling or for 2, 3, -luh n]
- the making of slight cracking sounds rapidly repeated.
- the crisp browned skin or rind of roast pork.
- Usually cracklings. Southern U.S. the crisp residue left when fat, especially hog or chicken fat, is rendered.
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Origin of crackling
crackle
[krak-uh l]
- to make slight, sudden, sharp noises, rapidly repeated.
- to form a network of fine cracks on the surface.
- (of ceramic glaze) to craze.
- to exhibit liveliness, vibrancy, anticipation, etc.: The play crackled with wit.
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- to cause to crackle.
- to break with a crackling noise.
- to craze (ceramic glaze).
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- the act of crackling.
- a crackling noise.
- a network of fine cracks, as in the glaze of some kinds of porcelain.
- crackleware.
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Origin of crackle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for crackling
Contemporary Examples
He has a lean, crackling energy about him, a sense of dramatic flourish, a resonant voice that is not unaware of its own music.
Nigeria’s Larger-Than-Life Nobel Laureate Chronicles a Fascinating LifeChimamanda Adichie
August 9, 2014
They danced to music pounding from the crackling speakers, sipped beers and then parted.
Zosia Mamet is spectacular in the second episode on premiere night, showing off some crackling comedic timing.
The subsidiary fair, Volta, was crackling; there, I ran into Katelijne de Backer of the Armory.
Historical Examples
And over all was a constant hum, a crackling, a whining of spinning parts.
Slaves of MercuryNat Schachner
His voice was almost a scream, shrill and crackling with excitement.
Two Thousand Miles BelowCharles Willard Diffin
The linen was crackling between his fingers, and splinters of ice were breaking off.
His MasterpieceEmile Zola
"'As the crackling of thorns under a pot,'" he quoted soberly.
Old Man CurryCharles E. (Charles Emmett) Van Loan
The badger kept on, until he heard the crackling of the burning twigs.
crackling
- the crisp browned skin of roast pork
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crackle
- to make or cause to make a series of slight sharp noises, as of paper being crushed or of a wood fire burning
- (tr) to decorate (porcelain or pottery) by causing a fine network of cracks to appear in the glaze
- (intr) to abound in vivacity or energy
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- the act or sound of crackling
- intentional crazing in the glaze of a piece of porcelain or pottery
- Also called: crackleware porcelain or pottery so decorated
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for crackling
crackle
v.
mid-15c., crackelen, frequentative of cracken "to crack" (see crack (v.)). Related: Crackled; crackling. The noun is recorded from 1833.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper