- niggle
- niggle (v.) 1590s (implied in niggling), possibly from a Scandinavian source (Cf. Norw. dial. nigla "be busy with trifles"), perhaps related to source of NIGGARD (Cf. niggard). Related: Niggled; niggling; niggler.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
niggle
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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.… … 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] … 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.] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
niggle — [v] nitpick argue, carp, cavil, complain, find fault, fuss, grouse, grumble, moan, nag, object; concept 46 … New thesaurus
niggle — ► VERB 1) cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety. 2) find fault with in a petty way. ► NOUN ▪ a trifling worry, dispute, or criticism. DERIVATIVES niggly adjective. ORIGIN apparently Scandinavian … English terms dictionary
niggle — [nig′əl] vi. niggled, niggling [North Brit dial., prob. akin to Norw dial. nigla in same sense] to work fussily; pay too much attention to petty details niggler n. niggling adj., n … English World dictionary
niggle — [[t]nɪ̱g(ə)l[/t]] niggles, niggling, niggled 1) VERB If something niggles you, it causes you to worry slightly over a long period of time. [mainly BRIT] [V n] I realise now that the things which used to niggle and annoy me just don t really… … English dictionary
niggle — I UK [ˈnɪɡ(ə)l] / US verb [intransitive/transitive] Word forms niggle : present tense I/you/we/they niggle he/she/it niggles present participle niggling past tense niggled past participle niggled 1) British to worry or annoy someone slightly but… … English dictionary
niggle — niggler, n. /nig euhl/, v.i., niggled, niggling. 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… … Universalium
niggle — v. (D; intr.) to niggle about, over (to niggle over every sentence) * * * [ nɪg(ə)l] over (to niggle over every sentence) (D; intr.) to niggle about … Combinatory dictionary
