kittle

American  

[kit-l] / ˈkɪt l /

verb (used with object)

kittled, kittling

1. to tickle with the fingers; agitate or stir, as with a spoon.

2. to excite or rouse (a person), especially by flattery or strong words.

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adjective

kittler, kittlest

1. ticklish; fidgety.

2. requiring skill or caution; precarious.

kittle British  

/ ˈkɪtəl /

adjective

1. capricious and unpredictable

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verb

1. to be troublesome or puzzling to (someone)

2. to tickle

Etymology

Origin of kittle

First recorded in 1475–85; earlier kytylle, ketil (compare Middle English verbal noun kitilling, kitlinge “tickling” late Old English citelung, kitelung ); cognate with Middle High German kützeln; akin to Old Norse kitla, German kitzeln “to tickle”

Example Sentences

Somethin caught his interest an he turned round and afore you could say jackrobinson he backed up and sot right down in the kittle.

From Time Magazine Archive

I still got our old copper kittle an she's 30 gallons if she's a spoon-full.

From Time Magazine Archive

The heid an' the spine are kittle to get hurt, but it's a guid's blessin' ye werena burnt beyond recognition.

From Betty Grier by Waugh, Joseph Laing

After a while he woke up and looked around, and says he: 'Here I am again, and here's the creek, and yonder's that old kittle jest as natural as life.

From The Land of Long Ago by Hall, Eliza Calvert

Old man Sam laid down by the kittle and went to sleep.

From The Land of Long Ago by Hall, Eliza Calvert