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niggle

[nig-uh l]
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verb (used without object), nig·gled, nig·gling.
  1. to criticize, especially constantly or repeatedly, in a peevish or petty way; carp: to niggle about the fine points of interpretation; preferring to niggle rather than take steps to correct a situation.
  2. to spend too much time and effort on inconsequential details: It's difficult to be meticulous and not niggle.
  3. to work ineffectively; trifle: to niggle with an uninteresting task.
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Origin of niggle

1610–20; < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian nigla to be penurious (ultimately < Old Norse hnøggr stingy, cognate with Old English hnēaw); cf. niggard
Related formsnig·gler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for niggler

doubter, complainant, complainer, quibbler, caviler, censor, nitpicker, carper, zapper, muckraker, disparager, maligner, slanderer, worrier, nagger, faultfinder, criticizer, aristarch, censurer, fretter
British Dictionary definitions for niggler

niggle

verb
  1. (intr) to find fault continually
  2. (intr) to be preoccupied with details; fuss
  3. (tr) to irritate; worry
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noun
  1. a slight or trivial objection or complaint
  2. a slight feeling as of misgiving, uncertainty, etc
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Derived Formsniggler, nounniggly, adjective

Word Origin for niggle

C16: from Scandinavian; related to Norwegian nigla. Compare niggard
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 niggler

niggle

v.

1590s (implied in niggling), possibly from a Scandinavian source (cf. Norwegian dialectal nigla "be busy with trifles"), perhaps related to source of niggard. Related: Niggled; niggling; niggler.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper