Obs. [cf. next.] ‘Any thing that is short and will not easily bend’ (Johnson, 1755).
In the quot. applied to an obstinately curly lock of hair.
c. 1710. Congreve, Poems Sev. Occas., Impossible Thing. This Sprunt its Pertness sure will lose When laid (said he) to soak in Ooze.
