n.
Pronunciation: ' fi-d ə l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English fidel, from Old English *fithele, probably from Medieval Latin vitula
Date: 13th century
1 : VIOLIN
2 : a device (as a slat, rack, or light railing) to keep objects from sliding off a table aboard ship
3 : FIDDLESTICKS ― used as an interjection
4 [ 2 fiddle ] chiefly British : SWINDLE