quiddle

English

Etymology

From Latin quid (“what”). Cognate with Dutch kwedelen.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kwɪdəl/
• Rhymes: -ɪdəl

Verb

quiddle (third-person singular simple present quiddles, present participle quiddling, simple past and past participle quiddled)

1. (intransitive, rare) To talk nonsense or speak vaguely, to waffle

   He couldn't stop quiddling about the weather.

2. (intransitive, rare) To spend or waste time in trifling employments, or to attend to useful subjects in a trifling superficial manner.

References

The Imperial Dictionary 1883