addle
[ ad-l ]
/ ˈæd l /
verb (used with or without object), ad·dled, ad·dling.
to make or become confused.
to make or become rotten, as eggs.
adjective
mentally confused; muddled.
rotten: addle eggs.
Nearby words
Origin of addle
before 1000; Middle English adel rotten, Old English adela liquid, filth; cognate with Middle Low German adele liquid manure
Related forms
un·ad·dled, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for addle
British Dictionary definitions for addle (1 of 2)
addle
1/ (ˈædəl) /
verb
to make or become confused or muddled
to make or become rotten
adjective
(in combination) indicating a confused or muddled stateaddle-brained; addle-pated
Word Origin for addle
C18: (vb), back formation from addled, from c13 addle rotten, from Old English adela filth; related to dialect German Addel liquid manure
British Dictionary definitions for addle (2 of 2)
addle
2/ (ˈædəl) /
verb
Northern English dialect to earn (money or one's living)
Word Origin for addle
C13: addlen, from Old Norse öthlask to gain possession of property, from ōthal property
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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