See Also: twiddle(1)(dictionary)
twiddle(2)(dictionary)
twiddle(dictionary)
twiddle-twaddle(dictionary)

twiddle(1) (iou)



twiddle verb1 & noun. M16.
[App. imit., after twirl, twist, and fiddle, piddle. Cf. TWEEDLE verb2.]
A. verb.
verb intrans. Occupy oneself busily with trivial matters; trifle. Now rare. M16.
verb trans. & intrans. (with at or with). Cause to rotate lightly or delicately with the fingers; twirl; adjust or bring into some place or condition in this way. Also, play with idly or absently. L17.
twiddle one's thumbs make one's thumbs rotate round each other; fig. have nothing to do, be idle.
A. Ransome The weed began to twist as if someone were twiddling the other end of it. V. Woolf He twiddled the cross on his watchchain. J. Winterson A radiogram..with..a fat Bakelite knob to twiddle for the stations.
verb intrans. Move twirlingly or aimlessly. E19.
Thackeray A few wretched little vessels are twiddling up and down.
b. noun. An act of twiddling; a twirl, a twist. Also, a twirled mark or sign. L18.
P. G. Wodehouse One twiddle of a tap and the whole thing becomes a fountain.
twiddler noun M19.
twiddling noun (a) the action of the verb; an instance of this; (b)
twiddling line (Nautical), orig., a light line used to steady or secure the wheel; now, a line attached to the compass-box for freeing the card when caught: M19.