v.
Pronunciation: ' ni-g ə l
Function: verb
Inflected Form: nig · gled ; nig · gling \ -g( ə -)li ŋ \
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: circa 1616
intransitive verb
1 a : TRIFLE b : to spend too much effort on minor details
2 : to find fault constantly in a petty way : CARP <she haggles, she niggle s, she wears out our patience ― Virginia Woolf>
3 : GNAW
transitive verb : to give stingily or in tiny portions
– nig · gler \ -g( ə -)l ə r \ noun