whiffler
1[hwif-ler, wif-]
|
noun
a person who frequently shifts opinions, attitudes, interests, etc.
a person who is vacillating or evasive in an argument.
Origin of whiffler
1whiffler
2[hwif-ler, wif-]
noun History/Historical.
Origin of whiffler
21530–40; earlier wiffler armed attendant, equivalent to wiffle (variant of Middle English wifle, Old English wifel battle-ax) + -er1
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for whiffler
Historical Examples of whiffler
The ‘whiffler’ was the official sword-flourisher of the Corporation.
The Romany RyeGeorge Borrow
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.
Superintendent Whiffler came over, by-and-by, to see his successor.
At length Mrs. Whiffler is heard to say, ‘Mr. Saunders, shall I give you some pudding?’
Sketches by BozCharles Dickens
Mr. Whiffler sighs, ‘these children, Saunders, make one quite an old man.’
Sketches by BozCharles Dickens
whiffler
1noun
whiffler
2noun
Word Origin for whiffler
C16: from wifle battle-axe, from Old English wifel, of Germanic origin; the attendants originally carried weapons to clear the way
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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