riffle

¹rif·fle

verb \ˈri-fəl\

rif·fledrif·fling\ˈri-f(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of RIFFLE

intransitive verb

1

: to form, flow over, or move in riffles

2

: to flip cursorily : thumb <riffle through the catalog>

transitive verb

1

: to ruffle slightly : ripple

2

a : to leaf through hastily; specifically : to leaf (as a stack of paper) by sliding a thumb along the edge of the leaves b : to shuffle (playing cards) by separating the deck into two parts and riffling with the thumbs so the cards intermix

3

: to manipulate (small objects) idly between the fingers

Examples of RIFFLE

1. He riffled the pages of the magazine.
2. <Web research is convenient but doesn't offer the tactile pleasures of riffling through heavy old books.>

Origin of RIFFLE

²riffle

First Known Use: 1754

Related to RIFFLE

Synonyms: flip, leaf, skim, thumb

Related Words: browse, dip; glance (at), look over, scan

Near Antonyms: pore (over); study

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Rhymes with RIFFLE

piffle, skiffle, sniffle, whiffle