I. ˈri-d ə l noun
Etymology: Middle English redels, ridel, from Old English rǣdelse opinion, conjecture, riddle; akin to Old English rǣdan to interpret — more at read
Date: before 12th century
1. : a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum , enigma
2. : something or someone difficult to understand
Synonyms: see mystery
II. verb
( rid·dled ; rid·dling ˈrid-liŋ, ˈri-d ə l-iŋ)
Date: 1571
intransitive verb
: to speak in or propound riddles
transitive verb
1. : to find the solution of : explain
2. : to set a riddle for : puzzle
• rid·dler ˈrid-lər, ˈri-d ə l-ər noun
III. noun
Etymology: Middle English riddil, from Old English hriddel; akin to Latin cribrum sieve, cernere to sift — more at certain
Date: before 12th century
: a coarse sieve
IV. transitive verb
( rid·dled ; rid·dling ˈrid-liŋ, ˈri-d ə l-iŋ)
Date: 13th century
1. : to separate (as grain from chaff) with a riddle : screen
2. : to pierce with many holes
riddled the car with bullets
3. : to spread through : permeate
a book riddled with errors