nig|gle

nig|gle
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´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… …   Useful english dictionary

  • gle — adan·gle; ae·gle; ajan·gle; ajin·gle; an·gle·ber·ry; An·gle·doz·er; an·gle·sey; an·gle·site; an·gle·ton; an·gle·twitch; ar·gle; ar·gle bar·gle; atin·gle; bo·gle; bun·gle·some; bur·gle; can·gle; cin·gle; com·min·gle; crin·gle; crin·gle cran·gle;… …   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

  • niggle — nig·gle …   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

  • niggle — nig|gle [ nıgl ] verb intransitive or transitive BRITISH to worry or annoy someone slightly but continuously: BOTHER …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern 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

  • Niggled — 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

  • Niggling — 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. 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

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