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stickle

verb stick·le \ ˈsti-kəl \

Definition of stickle

stickled; stickling play \ˈsti-k(ə-)liŋ\
intransitive verb
1 : to contend especially stubbornly and usually on insufficient grounds
2 : to feel scruples : scruple

Origin and Etymology of stickle

alteration of Middle English stightlen, frequentative of stighten to arrange, from Old English stihtan; akin to Old Norse stētta to found, support

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