puckered

Puckered is the past participle and an adjective formed from the verb pucker, meaning to draw together or contract into small wrinkles or folds. It is used to describe something that has been made to show such a texture, including facial features, lips, and various surfaces.

Etymology and sense: The term derives from the verb pucker; its exact origin is uncertain, but the sense centers on drawing in or gathering matter to create ridges. The word has been in English since the early modern period and is applied across different domains where contraction or folding produces a puckered appearance.

Common uses: In anatomy and everyday speech, puckered lips are pressed together as part of kissing, tasting something sour, or a pursed expression. The adjective can also describe a facial expression that communicates concentration or disapproval. Beyond the face, puckered surfaces include fabrics, leather, or skin that exhibit small, regular folds or wrinkles, whether as a deliberate design element or as a result of physical forces.

Textile and material context: In sewing and garment making, puckering refers to fabric gathering along seams caused by mismatched tensions, incorrect stitch length, or fabric-specimen incompatibilities. Puckered fabric can be a design choice or a defect, and remedies typically involve adjusting machine tension, stitch length, needle type, or using stabilizers. Similarly, moisture loss, age, or environmental changes can cause surfaces like leather or paper to appear puckered.

See also: puckering, pucker.