Definition of Fiddle

1. Noun. Bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the violin family; this instrument has four strings and a hollow body and an unfretted fingerboard and is played with a bow.

Exact synonyms: Violin
Specialized synonyms: Amati, Guarnerius, Strad, Stradavarius
Generic synonyms: Bowed Stringed Instrument, String
Terms within: Chin Rest, Fiddlestick, Violin Bow
Derivative terms: Violinist

2. Verb. Avoid (one's assigned duties). "The derelict soldier shirked his duties"
Exact synonyms: Goldbrick, Shirk, Shrink From
Generic synonyms: Avoid
Specialized synonyms: Scrimshank, Malinger, Skulk, Slack
Derivative terms: Goldbricking, Shirker, Shirking

3. Verb. Commit fraud and steal from one's employer. "We found out that she had been fiddling for years"

4. Verb. Play the violin or fiddle.
Category relationships: Music
Generic synonyms: Play
Derivative terms: Fiddler

5. Verb. Play on a violin. "Zuckerman fiddled that song very nicely"
Category relationships: Music
Generic synonyms: Play, Spiel

6. Verb. Manipulate manually or in one's mind or imagination. "He played with the idea of running for the Senate"
Exact synonyms: Diddle, Play, Toy
Generic synonyms: Manipulate
Specialized synonyms: Put Out, Retire
Derivative terms: Fiddler
Also: Toy With

7. Verb. Play around with or alter or falsify, usually secretively or dishonestly. "The reporter fiddle with the facts"
Exact synonyms: Monkey, Tamper
Generic synonyms: Manipulate
Derivative terms: Monkey

8. Verb. Try to fix or mend. "She always fiddles with her van on the weekend"
Exact synonyms: Tinker
Generic synonyms: Bushel, Doctor, Fix, Furbish Up, Mend, Repair, Restore, Touch On
Derivative terms: Fiddler

Definition of Fiddle

1. n. A stringed instrument of music played with a bow; a violin; a kit.

2. v. i. To play on a fiddle.

3. v. t. To play (a tune) on a fiddle.

Definition of Fiddle

1. Noun. (context: 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. ¹

2. Noun. An adjustment intended to cover up a basic flaw. ¹

3. Noun. fraud ¹

4. Noun. (context: 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'') ¹

5. Verb. To play aimlessly. ¹

6. Verb. To adjust in order to cover a basic flaw or fraud etc. ¹

7. Verb. (context: music) To play traditional tunes on a violin in a non-classical style. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Fiddle

1. to play a violin [v -DLED, -DLING, -DLES]

Medical Definition of Fiddle

1. 1. A stringed instrument of music played with a bow; a violin; a kit. 2. A kind of dock (Rumex pulcher) with fiddle-shaped leaves; called also fiddle dock. 3. A rack or frame of bars connected by strings, to keep table furniture in place on the cabin table in bad weather. Fiddle beetle, the angel fish. Fiddle head, an ornament on a ship's bow, curved like the volute or scroll at the head of a violin. Fiddle pattern, a form of the handles of spoons, forks, etc, somewhat like a violin. Scotch fiddle, the itch. To play first, or second, fiddle, to take a leading or a subordinate part. Origin: OE. Fidele, fithele, AS. Fiele; akin to D. Vedel, OHG. Fidula, G. Fiedel, Icel. Fila, and perh. To E. Viol. Cf. Viol. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Fiddle

fictography
fictomercial
fictomercials
fictor
fictors
ficttelite
ficus
ficuses
ficusin
ficusses
fidalgo
fidalgoes
fidaxomicin
fiddious
fiddle (current term)
fiddle-faddle
fiddle-shaped
fiddle about
fiddle around
fiddle away
fiddle the books
fiddle with
fiddleback
fiddlebacks
fiddled
fiddled with
fiddledeedee

Literary usage of Fiddle

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: Giving the Derivation, Source, Or Origin of by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer (1898)
"Ht wot first fiddle. Chief man, the most distinguished of the company. ... The allusion is to the leader of concerts, who leads with a fiddle. ..."

2. Publications by Shakespeare Society (Great Britain) (1853)
"I think your tongue be made of nothing but fiddle-strings. I hope the fiddle must have some rest, as well as the fiddle-stick. Well, Crowd, what say you to ..."

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