whiffler

¹

[ hwif-ler, wif- ]

noun

1. a person who frequently shifts opinions, attitudes, interests, etc.
2. a person who is vacillating or evasive in an argument.

whiffler

²

[ hwif-ler, wif- ]

noun

, History/Historical.

1. an attendant who clears the way for a procession.

whiffler

¹

/ ˈwɪflə /

noun

1. archaic.
   an attendant who cleared the way for a procession

whiffler

²

/ ˈwɪflə /

noun

1. a person who whiffles

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiffler¹

First recorded in 1600–10; whiffle + -er ¹

Origin of whiffler²

First recorded in 1530–40; earlier wiffler “armed attendant,” equivalent to wiffle (variant of Middle English wifle, Old English wifel “battle-ax”) + -er ¹. The spelling with wh probably arose by asociation with whiff ¹( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of whiffler¹

C16: from wifle battle-axe, from Old English wifel, of Germanic origin; the attendants originally carried weapons to clear the way

Example Sentences

The ‘whiffler’ was the official sword-flourisher of the Corporation.

From Project Gutenberg

In any show he will be one, though he be but a whiffler or a torch-bearer, and bears down strangers with the story of his actions.

From Project Gutenberg

Superintendent Whiffler came over, by-and-by, to see his successor.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Whiffler sighs, ‘these children, Saunders, make one quite an old man.’

From Project Gutenberg

At length Mrs. Whiffler is heard to say, ‘Mr. Saunders, shall I give you some pudding?’

From Project Gutenberg