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fiddle

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The definition of a fiddle is an stringed musical instrument that is played with a bow, such as a violin.

(noun)

An example of a fiddle is what the cat plays in the nursery rhyme "Hey Diddle Diddle."

To fiddle is defined as to play a violin, or to spend time doing something without a goal in mind.

(verb)

An example of to fiddle is to play the violin in a concert.
An example of to fiddle is to pick up and look at each piece of jewelry in your jewelry box.

See fiddle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Informal any stringed instrument played with a bow, esp. the violin
☆ Slang a petty swindle
Naut. a frame or railing on a ship's table to keep dishes, etc. from sliding off in rough weather

Origin: ME fithele < OE < VL *vitula < L vitulari, to rejoice: vi- (< IE *woi-, wi-, outcry > OE wi, Gr ia) + ? base of tollere, to raise, exalt

transitive verb fiddled, fiddling

Informal to play (a tune) on a fiddle
Slang to swindle in a petty way

intransitive verb

Informal to play a fiddle
to play or tinker (with), esp. in a nervous way

See fiddle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. A violin.
b. A member of the violin family.
Nautical A guardrail used on a table during rough weather to prevent things from slipping off.
Informal Nonsensical, trifling matters: “There are things that are important/beyond all this fiddle” (Marianne Moore).
The act or an instance of cheating or swindling; a fraud.

verb fid·dled, fid·dling, fid·dles

verb, intransitive

To play a violin.
a. To move one's fingers or hands in a nervous fashion.
b. To occupy oneself in an aimless or desultory way: liked to fiddle with all the knobs and dials.
c. To meddle or tamper: a reporter who fiddled with the facts.
To commit a fraud, especially to steal from one's employer.

verb, transitive