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BUCKLE
Definition of BUCKLE
noun
A metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike through which a belt or strap is passed and penetrated by the tongue or spike, in order to fasten the ends of the belt together or to secure the strap to something else. Some other form of clasp used to fasten two things together. An image of a clasp (etymology 1, noun sense 1) used as the brisure of an eighth daughter.
Wiktionary · CC BY-SA
Where it comes from
The noun is derived from Middle English bokel (“spiked metal ring for fastening; ornamental clasp; boss of a shield; a shield, buckler; (figurative) means of defence”) [and other forms], from Old French boucle, bocle (“spiked metal ring for fastening; boss of a shield; a shield”) [and other forms], from Latin buccula (“cheek strap of a helmet; boss of a shield”) (from bucca (“soft part of the cheek”)). Noun noun sense 2 (“great conflict or struggle”) is probably derived from verb verb sense 1.2.1 (“to apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work”). The verb is derived from Middle English bokelen, bukelen (“to fasten (something) with a buckle or clasp; to fasten, make fast; to wrap; to arch the body”) [and other forms], from bokel (noun) (see above) + -en (suffix forming the infinitive of verbs). In verb verb sense 1.2.1, the sense “to apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work” was derived from the now obsolete sense “to equip (oneself) for a battle, etc.”, and originally alluded to armour being buckled on to the body.
Etymology via Wiktionary (CC BY-SA).
OUTLIER scores every word on how unusual it is, and that number is not published. Working it out at the board is the game.
BUCKLE in OUTLIER
Players have found it on 9 boards so far. 19 players have found it across Outlier's history.
It first turned up on Day 7, 28 May 2026. The most recent board was Day 74, 2 August 2026. Nobody has seen it on a board for 28 days.
First found by a player on Day 7, 28 May 2026.
Built from these letters
BUCKLE starts with B and ends with E. Sorted, its letters read BCEKLU - the shape to hunt for when the grid is scrambled. No letter is used twice, which makes it an isogram.
Words that start BUCKLE
Its neighbours in the OUTLIER dictionary - shortest first.
Also seen on Day 7
Could you have found BUCKLE?
OUTLIER is a daily word game. One grid, the same grid for everybody, and the words nobody else spots are the ones that pay. This word was on Day 7 - and most players walked straight past it.
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