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piddle

[pid-l]
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verb (used without object), pid·dled, pid·dling.
  1. to spend time in a wasteful, trifling, or ineffective way; dawdle (often followed by around): He wasted the day piddling around.
  2. Informal. (especially of children and pets) to urinate.
verb (used with object), pid·dled, pid·dling.
  1. to waste (time, money, etc.); fail to utilize (usually followed by away).

Origin of piddle

First recorded in 1535–45; origin uncertain
Related formspid·dler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for piddler

Historical Examples

  • But he was ably vindicated by Piddler, and the unfortunate Sam was convicted of petty larceny.

    The Funny Philosophers

    George Yellott

British Dictionary definitions for piddler

piddle

verb
  1. (intr) informal to urinate
  2. (when tr, often foll by away) to spend (one's time) aimlessly; fritter
Derived Formspiddler, noun

Word Origin

C16: origin unknown
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for piddler

piddle

v.

1540s, "to peddle, to work in a trifling way," of uncertain origin, apparently a frequentative form. Meaning "to pick at one's food" is from 1610s; that of "urinate" is from 1796. Related: Piddled; piddler; piddling.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper