Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Nearby Entries
Fiddling - 4 dictionary results

fid⋅dling

  [fid-ling]
Use Fiddling in a Sentence
–adjective
trifling; trivial: a fiddling sum of money.
Origin:
1425–75; late ME; see fiddle, -ing 2

fid⋅dle

  [fid-l] noun, verb, -dled, -dling.
–noun
1. a musical instrument of the viol family.
2. violin: Her aunt plays first fiddle with the state symphony orchestra.
3. Nautical. a small ledge or barrier raised in heavy weather to keep dishes, pots, utensils, etc., from sliding off tables and stoves.
4. British Informal. swindle; fraud.
–verb (used without object)
5. to play on the fiddle.
6. to make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often fol. by with): fiddling with his cuffs.
7. to touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it; tinker (often fol. by with): You may have to fiddle with the antenna to get a clear picture on the TV.
8. to waste time; trifle; dally (often fol. by around): Stop fiddling around and get to work.
9. British Informal. to cheat.
–verb (used with object)
10. to play (a tune) on a fiddle.
11. to trifle or waste (usually used with away): to fiddle time away.
12. Bookbinding. to bind together (sections or leaves of a book) by threading a cord through holes cut lengthwise into the back.
13. British Informal.
a. to falsify: to fiddle the account books.
b. to cheat: to fiddle the company out of expense money.
—Idioms
14. fine as a fiddle, South Midland and Southern U.S. fiddle (def. 15).
15. fit as a fiddle, in perfect health; very fit: The doctor told him he was fit as a fiddle. Also, as fit as a fiddle.
16. play second fiddle. second fiddle.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE fithele (c. G Fiedel, D vedel, OHG fidula) prob. < VL *vītula (cf. viol, viola 1 ), perh. deriv. of L vītulārī to rejoice
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Fiddling
fid·dle   (fĭd'l)   
n.  
    1. A violin.
    2. A member of the violin family.
  2. Nautical A guardrail used on a table during rough weather to prevent things from slipping off.
  3. Informal Nonsensical, trifling matters: "There are things that are important/beyond all this fiddle" (Marianne Moore).
  4. The act or an instance of cheating or swindling; a fraud.
v.   fid·dled, fid·dling, fid·dles

v.   intr.
  1. To play a violin.
    1. To move one's fingers or hands in a nervous fashion.
    2. To occupy oneself in an aimless or desultory way: liked to fiddle with all the knobs and dials.
    3. To meddle or tamper: a reporter who fiddled with the facts.
  3. To commit a fraud, especially to steal from one's employer.
v.   tr.
  1. To play (a tune) on a violin.
  2. To cheat or swindle.
  3. To alter or falsify (accounts, for example) for dishonest gain.
Phrasal Verb(s):
fiddle awayTo waste or squander: fiddled away the morning with unnecessary tasks.

[Middle English fidle, from Old English fithele.]
fid'dler n.
fid·dling   (fĭd'lĭng)   
adj.  Trivial; petty.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Fiddling on Thesaurus | Reference