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dawdle away

 - 2 dictionary results

daw⋅dle

[dawd-l] verb, -dled, -dling.
–verb (used without object)
1. to waste time; idle; trifle; loiter: Stop dawdling and help me with these packages!
2. to move slowly, languidly, or dilatorily; saunter.
–verb (used with object)
3. to waste (time) by or as if by trifling (usually fol. by away): He dawdled away the whole morning.

Origin:
1650–60; var. of daddle to toddle


dawdler, noun
daw⋅dling⋅ly, adverb


1, 2. See loiter. 3. fritter, putter, idle, trifle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

dawdle 
c.1656, perhaps a variant of daddle "to walk unsteadily." Perhaps influenced by daw, since the bird was regarded as sluggish and silly. Not in general use until c.1775.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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