ˈaɪdl adj. & v. --adj. (idler, idlest) 1
lazy,
indolent. 2
not in
use; not
working;
unemployed. 3 (of
time etc.)
unoccupied. 4 having no
special basis or
purpose (idle
rumour; idle curiosity). 5
useless. 6 (of an
action, thought, or word)
ineffective,
worthless,
vain. --v. 1 a intr. (of an engine)
run slowly
without doing any work. b tr.
cause (an engine) to idle. 2 intr. be idle. 3 tr. (foll. by away) pass (time etc.) in idleness. øidle
wheel an
intermediate wheel
between two geared wheels,
esp. to
allow them to rotate in
the same direction. øøidleness n. idly adv. [OE idel
empty, useless]