twiddlingn.
/ˈtwɪdlɪŋ/ The action of twiddle v.1; twirling; trifling. twiddling line (Nautical), a light line formerly used to steady or secure the wheel; now, a line attached to the compass-box, by which the card may be jerked free when caught.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > [noun] > touching or handling idly
triflinga1382
toying1559
twiddling1847
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > revolution or rotation > [noun] > twirling > twiddling
twiddling1847
1847 W. M. Thackeray Sketches & Trav. London (1891) 166 A chin-tuft is a cheap enjoyment.., and the twiddling it about..a harmless amusement.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Twiddling-line, a piece of small rope ornamentally fitted and used for steadying the steering-wheel when required: no longer used.
1882 G. S. Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 195 The rudder..must be secured..with the twiddling lines.
1890 Daily News 3 Nov. 3/1 Jerry builders and draughtsmen, with their mindless twiddlings in stone and brick.
1906 Spectator 6 Jan. 10/2 That dance..interspersed with meaningless bowings, scrapings, and twiddlings in odd corners.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online December 2019).
> as lemmas
ˈtwiddling
ˈtwiddling adj. that twiddles; twirling; also, trifling, paltry.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > paltry, mean, or contemptible
unworthlyc1230
wretcha1250
seely1297
vilec1320
not worth a cress (kerse)1377
the value of a rushc1380
threadbarec1412
wretched1450
miserable?a1513
rascal1519
prettya1522
not worth a whistlea1529
pegrall1535
plack1539
pelting1540
scald1542
sleeveless1551
baggage1553
paltering1553
piddling1559
twopenny1560
paltry1565
rubbish1565
baggagely1573
pelfish1577
halfpenny1579
palting1579
baubling1581
three-halfpenny1581
pitiful1582
triobolar1585
squirting1589
not worth a lousea1592
hedge1596
cheap1597
peddling1597
dribbling1600
mean1600
rascally1600
three-farthingc1600
draughty1602
dilute1605
copper1609
peltry?a1610
threepenny1613
pelsy1631
pimping1640
triobolary1644
pigwidgeon1647
dustya1649
fiddling1652
puddlinga1653
insignificant1658
piteous1667
snotty1681
scrubbed1688
dishonourable1699
scrub1711
footy1720
fouty1722
rubbishing1731
chuck-farthing1748
rubbishy1753
shabby1753
scrubby1754
poxya1758
rubbishly1777
waff-like1808
trinkety1817
meanish1831
one-eyed1843
twiddling1844
measly1847
poking1850
picayunish1852
vild1853
picayune1856
snide1859
two-cent1859
rummagy1872
faddling1883
finicking1886
slushy1889
twopence halfpenny1890
jerk1893
pissy1922
crappy1928
two-bit1932
piddly1933
chickenshit1934
pissing1937
penny packet1943
farkakte1960
pony1964
gay1978
the world > movement > motion in specific manner > revolution or rotation > [adjective] > twirling > twiddling
twiddling1844
twiddly1906
1844 W. M. Thackeray Little Trav. i A lady in a little twiddling Parisian hat and feather.
1851 J. Colquhoun Moor & Loch (1880) I. 70 There is..the uncertainty whether the next point may be the red, or the ‘jetty, heath-cock’, or whether a twiddling snipe may spring.
1862 H. Marryat One Year in Sweden I. 81 The wishiwashy lady with little twiddling curls round her face.
1862 G. Meredith Mod. Love xxxiv Time leers between, above his twiddling thumbs.
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n.1847as lemmas
- english tobacco
- english toy terrier
- english treacle
- english vitriol
- english walnut
- english wheat
- english-born
- english-bred
- english-built
- english-canadian
- english-educated
- english-french
- english-german
- english-hearted
- english-hood
- english-indian
- english-irish
- english-knowing
- english-like
- english-made
- english-managed
- english-manned
- english-minded
- english-popish
- english-reading