crisp

Crisp is defined as firm or brittle, or describes cool weather, or writing or talking in an abrupt but polite way.

(adjective)

The layer of snow across the lawn after a snow storm is an example of a crisp layer of snow.
A 50-degree fall day that is neither warm nor freezing is an example of a crisp day.
If someone says hello and you politely but curtly reply hello back, this is an example of when you gave a crisp hello.

The definition of a crisp is a baked fruit desert with a crumbly top.

(noun)

A baked apple desert with a crumbly brown sugar top is an example of an apple crisp.

The definition of crisp is to cook something in a way that it gets done, dry and maybe even a little burnt.

(verb)

When you barbecue hot dogs until they start to burn, this is an example of when you crisp the hot dogs.

See crisp in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

stiff and brittle; easily broken, snapped, or crumbled: crisp bacon, cookies, etc.
fresh and firm: crisp celery
fresh and tidy: a crisp uniform
sharp and clear: a crisp analysis
lively; animated: crisp dialogue
fresh and invigorating; bracing: crisp air
sharply and squarely hit: a crisp tennis shot
closely curled and wiry: crisp hair
rippled; wavy; wrinkled

Origin: ME & OE < L crispus, curly, waving < IE base *(s)kreisp-, to shake > crest

noun

something crisp; now, specif.,
1. a piece of food, esp. a cookie, that is thin and crisp or contains a crunchy ingredient
2. something made crisp, as by overcooking: chiefly in the phrase : dinner burned to a crisp
3. a dessert consisting of fruit baked with a crumbly topping as of flour, sugar, and butter: apple crisp
Brit. potato chip

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become crisp

Related Forms:

See crisp in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective crisp·er, crisp·est

Firm but easily broken or crumbled; brittle: crisp potato chips.
Pleasingly firm and fresh: crisp carrot and celery sticks.
a. Bracing; invigorating: crisp mountain air.
b. Lively; sprightly: music with a crisp rhythm.
Conspicuously clean or new: a crisp dollar bill.
Marked by clarity, conciseness, and briskness: a crisp reply. See Synonyms at incisive.
Having small curls, waves, or ripples.