higgle
Americanverb (used without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of higgle
First recorded in 1625–35; apparently variant of haggle
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Such right of registering, properly of mere writing down, the Parlement has got by old wont; and, though but a Law-Court, can remonstrate, and higgle considerably about the same.
From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas
"This is only my third detection, and half of it voluntary, I might say, if I chose to higgle, which I scorn to do."
From Tales and Novels — Volume 04 by Edgeworth, Maria
Well, you shall have it, madam: But I cannot higgle; I know you'll say it did not cost above two hundred pieces.
From The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 02 by Scott, Walter, Sir
If I were a man in station I would say, now is the time to pay all Alabama claims, and not higgle whether we owe them or not.
From Charles Lever, His Life in His Letters, Vol. II by Downey, Edmund
Huck′stress.—v.i. to deal in small articles, to higgle meanly.—n.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
From the beginning he had higgled and haggled himself to a sad frazzle, even arguing that the skin game is an old Connecticut custom, making us worthy of our reputation as peddlers of wooden nutmegs.
From Time Magazine Archive
The Brazilian delegation at Lima was told it could string along with the 20 other American nations in ratifying the "solidarity" declaration over which the conference had higgled for a fortnight.
From Time Magazine Archive
They higgled about prices, and the sums which they gave were almost infinitesimal compared with the value of Patrick Nasmyth's pictures at the present time.
From James Nasmyth: Engineer; an autobiography by Smiles, Samuel
At first the hillfolk wouldn't hear of such a bargain and higgled and haggled with the man, but he stuck to what he said, and at last they gave up the mill for the bacon.
From East O' the Sun and West O' the Moon by Thorne-Thomsen, Gudrun
It would never have done to have hesitated and higgled about seeing more volumes.
From A Publisher and His Friends Memoir and Correspondence of John Murray; with an Account of the Origin and Progress of the House, 1768-1843 by Smiles, Samuel
When the higgling & haggling was finished, Fisherman Killam had not one million dollars but $2,500,000.
From Time Magazine Archive
Mr. Mynatt went on higgling and resumed work on the plant.
From Time Magazine Archive
Sir Austen declared last week that this exalted chaffering and higgling are still going forward in "friendly" fashion.
From Time Magazine Archive
Last month the Hearst magazines-also finally fell into line after a deal of higgling & haggling.
From Time Magazine Archive
I knew my master had fallen into despair when he took the herdsmen’s first offer without so much as a higgling nudge or a haggling speech.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
