stickle

[ stik-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, stick·led, stick·ling.

1. to argue or haggle insistently, especially on trivial matters.
2. to raise objections; scruple; demur.

stickle

/ ˈstɪkəl /

verb

1. to dispute stubbornly, esp about minor points
2. to refuse to agree or concur, esp by making petty stipulations

Word History and Origins

Origin of stickle¹

1520–30; variant of obsolete stightle to set in order, frequentative of stight to set in order, Middle English stighten, Old English stihtan to arrange; cognate with German stiften, Old Norse stētta to set up

Word History and Origins

Origin of stickle¹

C16 stightle (in the sense: to arbitrate): frequentative of Old English stihtan to arrange; related to Old Norse stētta to support

Example Sentences

At the usual hour that night the employés of Stickle and Screw left work and took their several ways home ward.

From Project Gutenberg

Some species of fish, notably the stickle-back and the bass, make nests and mother their young.

From Project Gutenberg

I would not stickle about hours, but the money and the drink are very just.

From Project Gutenberg

Harrison Stickle, 'the next neighbour of Pavey Ark, is another happy hunting-ground for beginners.

From Project Gutenberg

This and the other gills between it and Stickle Tarn afford good climbing up the walls by which they are enclosed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• backfire
• balk
• blanch
• blink
• cringe
• demur
• flinch
• hesitate
• reel
• shudder
• tremble
• turn away
• waver
• wince