Main Entry:

¹nig·gle

Pronunciation:

\ˈni-gəl\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

nig·gled; nig·gling \-g(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology:

origin unknown

Date:

circa 1616

intransitive verb1 a: trifle b: to spend too much effort on minor details2: to find fault constantly in a petty way : carp <she haggles, she niggles, she wears out our patience — Virginia Woolf>3: gnawtransitive verb: to give stingily or in tiny portions

— nig·gler \-g(ə-)lər\ noun