nig·gle
Audio Help [nig-uh
l] Pronunciation Key
—Related forms
Audio Help [nig-uh
l] Pronunciation Key –verb (used without object), -gled, -gling.
| 1. | to criticize, esp. constantly or repeatedly, in a peevish or petty way; carp: to niggle about the fine points of interpretation; preferring to niggle rather than take steps to correct a situation. |
| 2. | to spend too much time and effort on inconsequential details: It's difficult to be meticulous and not niggle. |
| 3. | to work ineffectively; trifle: to niggle with an uninteresting task. |
[Origin: 1610–20; < Scand; cf. Norw nigla to be penurious (ult. < ON hnøggr stingy, c. OE hnéaw); cf. niggard
]
] —Related forms
niggler, noun
| Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. |
niggle
To learn more about niggle visit Britannica.com
| © 2008 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. |
| nig·gle
Audio Help (nĭg'əl) Pronunciation Key
intr.v. nig·gled, nig·gling, nig·gles
[Perhaps of Scandinavian origin.] nig'gler n. |
| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
niggle
1599 (implied in niggling), possibly from a Scand. source (cf. Norw. dial. nigla "be busy with trifles"), perhaps related to source of niggard.
| Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper |
| niggle | |
verb | |
| 1. | worry unnecessarily or excessively; "don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now" [syn: fuss] |
| 2. | argue over petty things; "Let's not quibble over pennies" [syn: quibble] |
| WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University. |
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.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Niggle
Nig"gle\, v. t. 1. To trifle or play. Take heed, daughter, You niggle not with your conscience and religion. --Massinger. 2. To act or walk mincingly. [Prov. Eng.] 3. To fret and snarl about trifles. [Prov. Eng.]| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Niggle
Nig"gle\, v. t. 1. To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner. 2. To elaborate excessively, as in art.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
Niggle
Nig"gle\, v. i. (Chiefly Eng.) 1. To move about restlessly or without result; to fidget. 2. To be finicky or excessively critical; to potter; esp., to work with excessive care for trifling details, as in painting.| Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc. |
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