nig´gler

nig´gler
nig|gle «NIHG uhl», verb, -gled, -gling, noun.
–v.i.
1. to do anything in a trifling way; work with too much care for petty details: »

It was only to have been a sketch. And he has kept on niggling and niggling away at it (William Black).

2. find fault; carp: »

The nuclear consortia niggle at each other (Sunday Times).

–v.t.
1. to be trifling or petty with.
2. to find fault with; nag.
–n.
a petty or trifling complaint: »

One minor niggle and this is to do with music (Listener).

[apparently < Scandinavian (compare dialectal Norwegian nigla)]
nig´gler, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • nig|gle — «NIHG uhl», verb, gled, gling, noun. –v.i. 1. to do anything in a trifling way; work with too much care for petty details: »It was only to have been a sketch. And he has kept on niggling and niggling away at it (William Black). 2. find fault;… …   Useful english dictionary

  • gler — an·gler; bea·gler; bu·gler; bun·gler; com·min·gler; dan·gler; en·gler; en·gler·o·phoenix; en·tan·gler; fi·na·gler; gar·gler; gig·gler; gog·gler; hag·gler; hig·gler; in·vei·gler; jan·gler; jog·gler; jug·gler; mon·gler; nig·gler; shin·gler;… …   English syllables

  • nig — are·nig; ba·nig; be·nig·nan·cy; be·nig·nant; be·nig·nant·ly; be·nig·ni·ty; cor·nig·er·ous; ker·nig; nig·gard·li·ness; nig·gard·ness; nig·gery; nig·gler; nig·gli·ite; nig·gly; nig·nay; nig·ra; nig·ri·cant; nig·ri·fy; nig·ri·tude; om·nig·e·nous;… …   English syllables

  • niggler — nig·gler …   English syllables

  • niggle — nig•gle [[t]ˈnɪg əl[/t]] v. i. gled, gling 1) to spend too much time and effort on inconsequential details; trifle 2) to criticize in a peevish way; carp • Etymology: 1610–20; < Scand; (ult. < ON hnøggr stingy, c. OE hnēaw); cf. niggard… …   From formal English to slang

  • Niggler — Nig gler, n. One who niggles. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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