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stickle
[ stik-uhl ]
/ ˈstɪk əl /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used without object), stick·led, stick·ling.
to argue or haggle insistently, especially on trivial matters.
to raise objections; scruple; demur.
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Origin of stickle
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
Words nearby stickle
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use stickle in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for stickle
stickle
/ (ˈstɪkəl) /
verb (intr)
to dispute stubbornly, esp about minor points
to refuse to agree or concur, esp by making petty stipulations
Word Origin for stickle
C16 stightle (in the sense: to arbitrate): frequentative of Old English stihtan to arrange; related to Old Norse stētta to support
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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