fiddle

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary Jump to: navigation, search WOTD - 28 December 2009

Contents

English

Wikipedia has an article on: Fiddle (violin)

Etymology

From Middle English fithele, from Old English fiðele.

conjectural ancient etymology

Cognate with Old High German fidula (German Fiedel), Old Norse fiðla (Icelandic fiðla, Danish fiddel, Norwegian fela), Middle Dutch vedele (Dutch veel, vedel).

The ultimate source of the word is unknown. Some argue that the similarity in Germanic variations can be explained by adoption and subsequent corruption of a contemporary Latin word, vitula or vidula. This is known to have occurred with the Romance languages eg. viol or viola in French, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish. Others argue that the Germanic words have a uniquely Teutonic origin, but no earlier forms have been found.

Pronunciation

Noun

fiddle (plural fiddles)

  1. (music) Any of various bowed string instruments, often used to refer to a violin when played in any of various traditional styles, as opposed to classical violin.
    When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like that, it's a violin.
  2. An adjustment intended to cover up a basic flaw.
    That parameter setting is just a fiddle to make the lighting look right.
  3. fraud
  4. (nautical) On board a ship or boat, a rail or batten around the edge of a table or stove to prevent objects falling off at sea. (Also fiddle rail)

Synonyms

Derived terms

terms derived from fiddle (noun)

See also

Verb

to fiddle (third-person singular simple present fiddles, present participle fiddling, simple past and past participle fiddled)

  1. To play aimlessly.
    You're fiddling your life away.
  2. To adjust in order to cover a basic flaw or fraud etc.
    I needed to fiddle the lighting parameters to get the image to look right.
    Fred was sacked when the auditors caught him fiddling the books.
  3. (music) To play traditional tunes on a violin in a non-classical style.

Synonyms

Derived terms

terms derived from fiddle (verb)

Translations

to play aimlessly
to adjust in order to cover a basic flaw or fraud
to play traditional tunes on a violin in a non-classical style

See also

 

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'Fiddle' News
Local musician regains confidence after tragedy - Weatherford Democrat
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Local musician regains confidence after tragedy - Weatherford Democrat
Mon, 19 Jul 2010 13:46:11 GMT+00:00
Weatherford Democrat I need a fiddle player, and if I can find me a good fiddle player, then we'll start playing at the Weatherford Opry, he said. Smith's also excited about ...
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