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Dictionary Results For "niggle" [?]/[OPML]
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English

Etymology

First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely from nigla and/or nugla.

Pronunciation


Noun

  1. A minor complaint or problem.
  2. Small, cramped handwriting.


Verb

  1. To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.
  2. To dwell too much on minor points.
  3. To fidget, fiddle, be restless.


Derived terms


vi:niggle zh:niggle

GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Niggle \Nig"gle\, v. t.
1. To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

2. To elaborate excessively, as in art.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Niggle \Nig"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Niggled; p. pr. & vb. n.
Niggling.] [Dim. of Prov. E. nig to clip money; cf. also
Prov. E. nig a small piece.]
To trifle with; to deceive; to mock. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.
[1913 Webster]
GNU Project's publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English Niggle \Nig"gle\, v. i.
1. To trifle or play.
[1913 Webster]

Take heed, daughter,
You niggle not with your conscience and religion.
--Massinger.
[1913 Webster]

2. To act or walk mincingly. [Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]

3. To fret and snarl about trifles. [Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]

4. (Chiefly Eng.)

1. To move about restlessly or without result; to fidget.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]

5. To be finicky or excessively critical; to potter; esp., to
work with excessive care for trifling details, as in
painting.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
WordNet niggle
v 1: worry unnecessarily or excessively; "don't fuss too much
over the grandchildren--they are quite big now" [syn: fuss,
fret]
2: argue over petty things; "Let's not quibble over pennies"
[syn: quibble, pettifog, bicker, squabble, brabble]
Moby Dictionary
adverse criticism , animadversion , aspersion , bad notices ,
bad press , bitch , bug , captiousness , carp , carp at , carping , cavil ,
caviling , censoriousness , complain , criticism , criticize ,
exception , faultfinding , find fault , flak , fret at , fuss , fuss at ,
grouse , hairsplitting , hassle , henpeck , hit , home thrust ,
hostile criticism , hypercriticalness , hypercriticism , imputation ,
knock , kvetch , nag , nagging , nibble at , niggling , nit , nit-picking ,
obloquy , overcriticalness , peck at , pester , pestering ,
pettifogging , pick at , pick on , priggishness , quibble , quibbling ,
rap , reflection , reproachfulness , slam , stricture , swipe ,
taking exception , trichoschistism , yap at


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