Etymology From Middle English dimpel, dimpil, dympull, from Old English *dympel (“pit, depression”), 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, pool”) + -le (diminutive suffix). Cognate with German Low German Dümpel, German Tümpel (“pond, pool”). Related also to Old English dyppan (“to dip”).
1
A small depression or indentation in a surface.
The accident created a dimple in the hood of the car.
The garden pool's dark surface […] breaks into dimples small and bright.1815, William Wordsworth, The White Doe of Rylstone; or, The Fate of the Nortons:
2
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.
Etymology From Middle English dimpel, dimpil, dympull, from Old English *dympel (“pit, depression”), 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, pool”) + -le (diminutive suffix). Cognate with German Low German Dümpel, German Tümpel (“pond, pool”). Related also to Old English dyppan (“to dip”).
1
To form a small indentation in (something).
The hailstorm dimpled the roof of our car.
2
To form a dimple (noun sense 1.1) 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.
And smiling eddies dimpled o'er the main.1667, John Dryden, Annus Mirabilis: The Year of Wonders, 1666. […], London: […] Henry Herringman, […], →OCLC, (please specify the stanza number):