noun
Meaning 1
A minor complaint or problem.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: quibble, split hairs, cavil
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
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noun
A minor complaint or problem.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: quibble, split hairs, cavil
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Small, cramped handwriting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To dwell too much on minor points or on trifling details.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: nitpick, split hairs, cavil
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To fidget, fiddle, be restless.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To walk with short steps.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, archaic, dialectal, intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
argue over petty things
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: quibble, pettifog, bicker, squabble, brabble
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: argue, contend, debate, fence
verb
worry unnecessarily or excessively
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: fuss, fret
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: worry
Narrower terms: scruple, dither, flap, pother
History
First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely borrowed from dialectal Norwegian nigla (“to be stingy, to busy oneself with trifles”), ultimately from Old Norse hnøggr (“stingy; miserly”), related to Old English hnēaw (“stingy; niggardly”). More at niggard.
Across languages
16 source translations are retained for this English entry.