whif|fler

whif|fler: whif|fler¹ «HWIHF luhr», noun.

1. a person who whiffles, or shifts about, as in thought, opinion, or intention.

2. = trifler. (Cf. ↑trifler)

╂[< whiffl(e) + -er¹]

whif|fler² «HWIHF luhr», noun.

Historical. one of a body of attendants armed with a javelin, battle-ax, sword, or staff, and wearing a chain, employed to keep the way clear for a procession or at some public spectacle.

╂[< obsolete wifle javelin, ax + -er²]

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whif — whif·fet; whif·fle·tree; whif·fle; whif·fler; … English syllables
fler — baf·fler; buf·fler; pif·fler; ruf·fler; scuf·fler; shuf·fler; snif·fler; snuf·fler; sti·fler; tri·fler; wof·fler; muf·fler; rif·fler; ri·fler; whif·fler; waf·fler; yaf·fler; … English syllables
whiffler — whif·fler … English syllables
whiffle — whif•fle [[t]ˈ(h)wɪf əl, ˈwɪf [/t]] v. fled, fling 1) to blow in light shifting gusts, as the wind 2) to shift about; vacillate 3) to blow with light shifting gusts • Etymology: 1550–60; whiff+ le whif′fler, n … From formal English to slang
Whiffler — Whif fler, n. [1913 Webster] 1. One who whiffles, or frequently changes his opinion or course; one who uses shifts and evasions in argument; hence, a trifler. [1913 Webster] Every whiffler in a laced coat who frequents the chocolate house shall… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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