Puckery

Puckery describes a sensation or appearance characterized by a slight contraction or drawing together, creating a wrinkled or drawn-in texture. It often refers to the mouth or skin, conveying a sense of tightness, sourness, or a tendency to pucker. This puckering effect can be caused by a variety of factors, including a sour taste, exposure to cold, the application of astringents, or simply an expression of distaste or concentration. The term evokes a visual and tactile quality of being gathered or crinkled, suggesting a degree of contraction or inward pull. This distinctive quality sets it apart from simply wrinkled or smooth, capturing a specific form of contraction and textural change.

Puckery meaning with examples

• The first bite of the unripe green apple caused a puckery feeling in her mouth, making her lips purse slightly. The sourness was intense, and the unfamiliar taste had her scrunching up her face in a manner that made everyone present smile at the surprised and somewhat puckery reaction.
• The strong, cold wind whipping off the lake gave her cheeks a puckery feel. She instinctively pulled her scarf up higher, the icy air causing her skin to tighten and feel slightly rough. Even her breath seemed to catch in her throat and her expression reflected this.
• The artist carefully depicted the puckery skin of the old woman’s hands, emphasizing the years of labor and the delicate tracery of wrinkles that told a story of her life. She worked the paint using several blending techniques.
• After applying the facial toner, she noticed a subtle, puckery effect around her eyes. This sensation was indicative of its astringent properties, tightening her skin and, hopefully, reducing the appearance of pores and minimizing the fine lines and wrinkles.