ˈfɪdl n. & v. --n. 1 colloq. or derog. a
stringed instrument played
with a bow,
esp. a
violin. 2 colloq. an
instance of cheating or
fraud. 3 Naut. a
contrivance for stopping things
from rolling or sliding
off a
table in
bad weather. --v. 1 intr. a (often foll. by with, at)
play restlessly. b (often foll. by about)
move aimlessly. c
act idly or frivolously. d (usu. foll. by with)
make minor adjustments;
tinker (esp. in an
attempt to make improvements). 2 tr. sl. a
cheat,
swindle. b
falsify. c
get by cheating. 3 a intr. play
the fiddle. b tr. play (a
tune etc.) on the fiddle. øas fit as a fiddle in
very good health.
face as long as a fiddle a
dismal face. fiddle-back a fiddle-shaped
back of a
chair or
front of a
chasuble. fiddle-head a scroll-like
carving at a ship's bows. fiddle
pattern the pattern of spoons
and forks with fiddle-shaped handles. play second (or first) fiddle
take a
subordinate (or leading)
role. [OE fithele f. Gmc f. a Rmc root rel. to VIOL]
