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stickler

 - 3 dictionary results

stick⋅ler

  [stik-ler]
Use stickler in a Sentence
–noun
1. a person who insists on something unyieldingly (usually fol. by for): a stickler for ceremony.
2. any puzzling or difficult problem.
Origin:
1530–40; stickle + -er 1

Synonyms:
1. fanatic, purist, perfectionist. 2. puzzle, riddle, mystery.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To stickler
stick·ler   (stĭk'lər)   
n.  

  1. One who insists on something unyieldingly: a stickler for neatness.

  2. Something puzzling or difficult.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

stickler 
1538, "moderator, umpire," from stickle "mediate" (1530), probably a frequentative of M.E. stihen "to arrange, place," from O.E. stihan "to arrange order," which is cognate with M.Du. stichten, Ger. stiften "to found, establish," probably from P.Gmc. *stihtan "to place on a step or base," from PIE base *steigh- "to stride, step, rise" (see stair). Meaning "person who contends or insists stubbornly" is first recorded 1644.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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