Contents
English
Wikipedia has an article on: Fiddle (violin)Pronunciation
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. |
Noun
|
Singular fiddle |
Plural fiddles |
fiddle (plural fiddles)
- (music) The 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.
- An adjustment intended to cover up a basic flaw.
- That parameter setting is just a fiddle to make the lighting look right.
- fraud
- (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
- (the instrument): violin
Derived terms
terms derived from fiddle (noun)
|
See also
Verb
|
Infinitive to fiddle |
Third person singular fiddles |
Simple past fiddled |
Past participle fiddled |
Present participle fiddling |
to fiddle (third-person singular simple present fiddles, present participle fiddling, simple past and past participle fiddled)
- To play aimlessly.
- You're fiddling your life away.
- 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.
- (music) To play traditional tunes on a violin using the aforementioned styles.
Synonyms
- (to adjust in order to cover a basic flaw): fudge
Derived terms
terms derived from fiddle (verb)
|
|
See also
|
The Daily Citizen
Paul plays the autoharp, bass fiddle , bass guitar, hammered dulcimer and mountain dulcimer. Following at noon is the Southeast High School Chorus, ...
and more »
