whifflingn.¹

Etymology: < whiffle v.¹ + -ing suffix¹.Previous versions of the OED give the stress as: ˈwhiffling.

The action or process of whiffle v.¹ (in various senses); an instance of this.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun]

yea-and-nayc1384

vacillationc1400

titteringa1413

stackeringc1440

wondingc1440

fluctuationc1450

waver1519

mammering1532

uncertainty1548

wavering1548

to and fro1553

suspense1560

staggering1565

suspension1568

mammery1578

demur1581

branle1591

dilly-dally1592

hesitance1601

irresolution1601

uncertainness1601

undecision1611

waveringness1614

hesitancy1617

unsettledness1619

hesitation1622

unresolvednessa1626

doubleness of minda1628

wavinga1628

swagging1636

poise1637

mambling1640

stickagea1647

vacillancy1668

whifflinga1677

hovering1679

unresolve1679

irresoluteness1686

shilly-shally1755

indecisiona1763

undecisiveness1779

indecisiveness1793

oscillation1798

flexility1815

shilly-shallying1842

swaying1850

Hamletism1852

teeter1855

havering1866

off and on1875

dilly-dallying1879

double-mindedness1881

hesitatingness1890

dither1958

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [noun] > in action

shuffling1579

paltering1580

boggling1640

prevarication1656

whifflinga1677

wriggling1866

caffling1877

sidestepping1902

pussyfooting1956

a1677 I. Barrow Serm. Several Occasions (1678) 185 Such as are..versatile whifflings and dodgings.

1681 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. I iv. 367 Too much whifling up and down in the little levities of Fancy.

1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Jewish Antiq. vii. ix, in Wks. 203 In her Course, upon the whifling of the Air, a snagged Bough of a Tree took hold of his Hair.

1841 J. F. Cooper Deerslayer I. i. 23 I would carry the gal off to the Mohawk by force, make her marry me in spite of her whiffling.

1866 Mrs. H. Wood St. Martin's Eve xvi The whiffling of the flame was remedied now.

1882 ‘F. Anstey’ Vice Versâ iv This infernal whiffling and sniffing, sir, I will not put up with.

1906 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 18 Oct. 3 This outcome of a week of doubt and whiffling will be viewed with mixed emotions.

1984 Daily Tel. 13 Feb. 12/5 When first I heard these whifflings, a couple of years ago, I thought they must be satiric.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2019).

whifflingn.²adj.²

Etymology: < whiffl- (in whiffler n.¹) + -ing suffix¹.Previous versions of the OED give the stress as: ˈwhiffling.

The action of a whiffler in clearing the way; also attributive or as participial adjective, used by, or acting as, a whiffler.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > office > holder of office > ceremonial officials > [adjective] > used by or acting as whiffler

whiffling1618

the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [adjective] > opening or unclosing > opening by removing obstruction > clearing passage for procession, etc.

whiffling1618

1618 in J. Nicholl Comp. Ironm. (1866) 183 For 14 doz. of whiffling staves and 1 doz. of truncheons..2 li. 5 s. 0 d.

1675 V. Alsop Anti-Sozzo iii. 156 These whiffling Slanders do but make way for the Show.

1683 J. Norris Murnival of Knaves 16 The Rabbles Darling, small Birch-rod Of Loyalty, a Whifling Blade.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2019).

whifflingadj.¹

/ˈhwɪflɪŋ/

Etymology: < whiffle v.¹ + -ing suffix².

a. That whiffles; blowing, or blown, in light puffs; moving lightly as if driven by gusts of wind.

ΘΚΠ

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [adjective] > blowing (of wind) > gently

whiffling1568

zephyring1821

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > [adjective] > fluttering or flickering

flutteryc1386

ventilous1484

wavering1488

flaffinga1522

flittering1549

flackering1567

flickeringa1586

fluttering1590

whiffling1765

fluttered1773

aflicker1842

flickery1893

1568 T. Howell Arbor of Amitie f. 25^v Vphoyst by wyffling windes.

1664 N. Ingelo Bentivolio & Urania: 2nd Pt. vi. 360 The whiffling dust which flies in the faces of Travellers.

1685 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 135 No raine fell from the 26 Jan..., only a little whiffling snow.

1713 N. Rowe Jane Shore iv. i Like a dry leaf, an idle straw, a feather, The Sport of every whifling Blast that blows.

1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VII. xvi. 48 Those whiffling vexations which come puffing across a man's canvass.

1800 J. Hurdis Favorite Village i. 32 The whiffling breeze..among the bents.

1845 S. Judd Margaret xvii. 166 Where the whiffling winds had left the earth nearly bare [of snow].

b. Making or characterized by a light whistling sound.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > [adjective] > whistling (of sound) > making whistling sound

whistlingc1405

whutingc1600

whiffling1834

siffling1866

whistly1907

1834 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus i. iv. 12/1 Some whiffling husky cachinnation.

1911 J. Galsworthy Patrician xix Rain, which the wind drove horizontally with a cold whiffling murmur.

2. Inconstant, shifting; evasive.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adjective]

unfastc888

unstathelfasteOE

unsteadfasta1200

fleeting?c1225

changeablea1275

ficklea1275

unstablec1290

waveringc1315

flickerc1325

loose in the haftc1325

motleyc1380

unsadc1384

variablea1387

variantc1386

ticklec1400

inconstant1402

flitting1413

brittle1420

plianta1425

mutablec1425

shittle1440

shittle-witted1448

moonishc1450

unconstant1483

unfirm1483

varying?a1500

pliablea1513

fluctuant1575

changeling1577

shittle-headed1580

cheverel1583

off and on1583

chameleon-like1589

changeful1590

limber1602

unsteady1604

ticklish1606

skittish1609

startling1619

labile1623

uncertaina1625

cheverelized1625

remuant1625

fluctuate1631

fluctuary1632

various1636

contrarious1643

epileptical1646

fluxilea1654

shittle-braineda1655

multivolent1656

totter-headed1662

on and off1668

self-inconsistent1678

weathercocka1680

whifflinga1680

versatile1682

veering1684

fast and loose1697

inconsistent1709

insteadfast1728

unfixing1810

unsteadied1814

chameleonic1821

labefact1874

ballastless1884

weathercocky1886

whiffle-minded1902

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [adjective]

slipperc1000

hinderc1200

slidderya1250

covert1340

unwrast1393

slyc1440

slippery1555

fetching1570

shifting1581

as slippery as an eel1601

roundabout1608

corner-creeping1610

shuffling1616

prevaricatory1645

prevaricative1657

sliverly1674

whifflinga1680

sneak-pasty1681

slid1719

evasive1725

shauchling1755

shifty1837

slab-bridged1845

sneaky1861

pussy-footed1893

sidewinding1902

slithery1902

pussyfooting1926

a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 109 This puts him upon perpetual Apologies..in a Kind of whiffling Strain.

1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind i. ix. 144 A Person of a whiffling and unsteady Turn of Mind, who cannot keep close to a Point of Controversy, but wanders from it perpetually.

1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Proc. E. India House 139/1 That it should be got rid of by the whiffling way of an adjournment.

1818 W. Hazlitt Polit. Ess. (1819) 343 A whiffling turncoat.

1835 W. Irving Tour on Prairies iv Hee had..a whiffling double voice, shifting abruptly from a treble to a thorough-bass.

1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits viii. 143 The national temper, in the civil history, is not flashy or whiffling.

1914 Contemp. Rev. Sept. 323 The whiffling and unsteady frame of mind of the Imperial workman.

3. Trifling, pettifogging, fiddling, fussy; (passing into) paltry, insignificant, ‘piffling’.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > paltry, mean, or contemptible > fussing or small-minded

fistinga1535

petty1597

whiffling1613

leguleian1615

fiddle-faddle1617

leguleious1660

pottering1720

poking1748

niggling1827

poky1828

whifflegig1830

niggly1840

pistareen1860

petty-minded1927

1613 E. Hoby Counter-snarle 3 Some vile blurr, and maleuolous aspersion, from one or other her suborned Pandars and whifling agents.

1671 J. Crowne Juliana i. 8 A pittiful whiffling small-beer Duke.

1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 847 A meer Whifling, Evanid, and Phantastick thing.

1710 Brit. Apollo 10–12 Apr. Whiffling, Noisy Whelp apace Barks.

1719 in T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth IV. 107 The whiffling Gallants of the Inns of Court, Do hinder their Studies certainly.

1817 Hazlitt Times Newsp. in Wks. (1902) III. 171 The low, whiffling, contemptible gratification of their literary jealousy.

1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 393 Whifling, slight, slender, insignificant. ‘A little whiffling fellow.’

1903 R. Bridges To a Socialist in London 111 The least petty whiffling ephemeral insect.

Derivatives

ˈwhifflingly adv. in a trifling manner.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adverb] > insubstantially > frivolously

idlec1330

frivolously1611

whifflingly1668

knick-knackically1749

flimsily1787

1668 H. More Divine Dialogues: Two Last Dial. 482 All the Articles of our Faith..might be most frivolously and whifflingly allegorized into a mere..Fable.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

n.¹a1677

n.²adj.²1618

adj.¹1568

单词	whiffling
释义	whifflingn.¹ Etymology: < whiffle v.¹ + -ing suffix¹.Previous versions of the OED give the stress as: ˈwhiffling. The action or process of whiffle v.¹ (in various senses); an instance of this. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [noun] yea-and-nayc1384 vacillationc1400 titteringa1413 stackeringc1440 wondingc1440 fluctuationc1450 waver1519 mammering1532 uncertainty1548 wavering1548 to and fro1553 suspense1560 staggering1565 suspension1568 mammery1578 demur1581 branle1591 dilly-dally1592 hesitance1601 irresolution1601 uncertainness1601 undecision1611 waveringness1614 hesitancy1617 unsettledness1619 hesitation1622 unresolvednessa1626 doubleness of minda1628 wavinga1628 swagging1636 poise1637 mambling1640 stickagea1647 vacillancy1668 whifflinga1677 hovering1679 unresolve1679 irresoluteness1686 shilly-shally1755 indecisiona1763 undecisiveness1779 indecisiveness1793 oscillation1798 flexility1815 shilly-shallying1842 swaying1850 Hamletism1852 teeter1855 havering1866 off and on1875 dilly-dallying1879 double-mindedness1881 hesitatingness1890 dither1958 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [noun] > in action shuffling1579 paltering1580 boggling1640 prevarication1656 whifflinga1677 wriggling1866 caffling1877 sidestepping1902 pussyfooting1956 a1677 I. Barrow Serm. Several Occasions (1678) 185 Such as are..versatile whifflings and dodgings. 1681 J. Scott Christian Life: Pt. I iv. 367 Too much whifling up and down in the little levities of Fancy. 1702 R. L'Estrange tr. Josephus Jewish Antiq. vii. ix, in Wks. 203 In her Course, upon the whifling of the Air, a snagged Bough of a Tree took hold of his Hair. 1841 J. F. Cooper Deerslayer I. i. 23 I would carry the gal off to the Mohawk by force, make her marry me in spite of her whiffling. 1866 Mrs. H. Wood St. Martin's Eve xvi The whiffling of the flame was remedied now. 1882 ‘F. Anstey’ Vice Versâ iv This infernal whiffling and sniffing, sir, I will not put up with. 1906 Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican 18 Oct. 3 This outcome of a week of doubt and whiffling will be viewed with mixed emotions. 1984 Daily Tel. 13 Feb. 12/5 When first I heard these whifflings, a couple of years ago, I thought they must be satiric. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2019). whifflingn.²adj.² Etymology: < whiffl- (in whiffler n.¹) + -ing suffix¹.Previous versions of the OED give the stress as: ˈwhiffling. The action of a whiffler in clearing the way; also attributive or as participial adjective, used by, or acting as, a whiffler. ΘΚΠ society > authority > office > holder of office > ceremonial officials > [adjective] > used by or acting as whiffler whiffling1618 the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [adjective] > opening or unclosing > opening by removing obstruction > clearing passage for procession, etc. whiffling1618 1618 in J. Nicholl Comp. Ironm. (1866) 183 For 14 doz. of whiffling staves and 1 doz. of truncheons..2 li. 5 s. 0 d. 1675 V. Alsop Anti-Sozzo iii. 156 These whiffling Slanders do but make way for the Show. 1683 J. Norris Murnival of Knaves 16 The Rabbles Darling, small Birch-rod Of Loyalty, a Whifling Blade. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online June 2019). whifflingadj.¹ /ˈhwɪflɪŋ/ Etymology: < whiffle v.¹ + -ing suffix². 1. a. That whiffles; blowing, or blown, in light puffs; moving lightly as if driven by gusts of wind. ΘΚΠ the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [adjective] > blowing (of wind) > gently whiffling1568 zephyring1821 the world > movement > motion in specific manner > irregular movement or agitation > [adjective] > fluttering or flickering flutteryc1386 ventilous1484 wavering1488 flaffinga1522 flittering1549 flackering1567 flickeringa1586 fluttering1590 whiffling1765 fluttered1773 aflicker1842 flickery1893 1568 T. Howell Arbor of Amitie f. 25^v Vphoyst by wyffling windes. 1664 N. Ingelo Bentivolio & Urania: 2nd Pt. vi. 360 The whiffling dust which flies in the faces of Travellers. 1685 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 135 No raine fell from the 26 Jan..., only a little whiffling snow. 1713 N. Rowe Jane Shore iv. i Like a dry leaf, an idle straw, a feather, The Sport of every whifling Blast that blows. 1765 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy VII. xvi. 48 Those whiffling vexations which come puffing across a man's canvass. 1800 J. Hurdis Favorite Village i. 32 The whiffling breeze..among the bents. 1845 S. Judd Margaret xvii. 166 Where the whiffling winds had left the earth nearly bare [of snow]. b. Making or characterized by a light whistling sound. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > [adjective] > whistling (of sound) > making whistling sound whistlingc1405 whutingc1600 whiffling1834 siffling1866 whistly1907 1834 T. Carlyle Sartor Resartus i. iv. 12/1 Some whiffling husky cachinnation. 1911 J. Galsworthy Patrician xix Rain, which the wind drove horizontally with a cold whiffling murmur. 2. Inconstant, shifting; evasive. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adjective] unfastc888 unstathelfasteOE unsteadfasta1200 fleeting?c1225 changeablea1275 ficklea1275 unstablec1290 waveringc1315 flickerc1325 loose in the haftc1325 motleyc1380 unsadc1384 variablea1387 variantc1386 ticklec1400 inconstant1402 flitting1413 brittle1420 plianta1425 mutablec1425 shittle1440 shittle-witted1448 moonishc1450 unconstant1483 unfirm1483 varying?a1500 pliablea1513 fluctuant1575 changeling1577 shittle-headed1580 cheverel1583 off and on1583 chameleon-like1589 changeful1590 limber1602 unsteady1604 ticklish1606 skittish1609 startling1619 labile1623 uncertaina1625 cheverelized1625 remuant1625 fluctuate1631 fluctuary1632 various1636 contrarious1643 epileptical1646 fluxilea1654 shittle-braineda1655 multivolent1656 totter-headed1662 on and off1668 self-inconsistent1678 weathercocka1680 whifflinga1680 versatile1682 veering1684 fast and loose1697 inconsistent1709 insteadfast1728 unfixing1810 unsteadied1814 chameleonic1821 labefact1874 ballastless1884 weathercocky1886 whiffle-minded1902 the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [adjective] slipperc1000 hinderc1200 slidderya1250 covert1340 unwrast1393 slyc1440 slippery1555 fetching1570 shifting1581 as slippery as an eel1601 roundabout1608 corner-creeping1610 shuffling1616 prevaricatory1645 prevaricative1657 sliverly1674 whifflinga1680 sneak-pasty1681 slid1719 evasive1725 shauchling1755 shifty1837 slab-bridged1845 sneaky1861 pussy-footed1893 sidewinding1902 slithery1902 pussyfooting1926 a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 109 This puts him upon perpetual Apologies..in a Kind of whiffling Strain. 1741 I. Watts Improvem. Mind i. ix. 144 A Person of a whiffling and unsteady Turn of Mind, who cannot keep close to a Point of Controversy, but wanders from it perpetually. 1801 Asiatic Ann. Reg. 1800 Proc. E. India House 139/1 That it should be got rid of by the whiffling way of an adjournment. 1818 W. Hazlitt Polit. Ess. (1819) 343 A whiffling turncoat. 1835 W. Irving Tour on Prairies iv Hee had..a whiffling double voice, shifting abruptly from a treble to a thorough-bass. 1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits viii. 143 The national temper, in the civil history, is not flashy or whiffling. 1914 Contemp. Rev. Sept. 323 The whiffling and unsteady frame of mind of the Imperial workman. 3. Trifling, pettifogging, fiddling, fussy; (passing into) paltry, insignificant, ‘piffling’. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adjective] > paltry, mean, or contemptible > fussing or small-minded fistinga1535 petty1597 whiffling1613 leguleian1615 fiddle-faddle1617 leguleious1660 pottering1720 poking1748 niggling1827 poky1828 whifflegig1830 niggly1840 pistareen1860 petty-minded1927 1613 E. Hoby Counter-snarle 3 Some vile blurr, and maleuolous aspersion, from one or other her suborned Pandars and whifling agents. 1671 J. Crowne Juliana i. 8 A pittiful whiffling small-beer Duke. 1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 847 A meer Whifling, Evanid, and Phantastick thing. 1710 Brit. Apollo 10–12 Apr. Whiffling, Noisy Whelp apace Barks. 1719 in T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth IV. 107 The whiffling Gallants of the Inns of Court, Do hinder their Studies certainly. 1817 Hazlitt Times Newsp. in Wks. (1902) III. 171 The low, whiffling, contemptible gratification of their literary jealousy. 1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 393 Whifling, slight, slender, insignificant. ‘A little whiffling fellow.’ 1903 R. Bridges To a Socialist in London 111 The least petty whiffling ephemeral insect. Derivatives ˈwhifflingly adv. in a trifling manner. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > importance > unimportance > [adverb] > insubstantially > frivolously idlec1330 frivolously1611 whifflingly1668 knick-knackically1749 flimsily1787 1668 H. More Divine Dialogues: Two Last Dial. 482 All the Articles of our Faith..might be most frivolously and whifflingly allegorized into a mere..Fable. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1923; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.¹a1677n.²adj.²1618adj.¹1568
随便看	intramental intramentality intramercurial intramercurian intrametropolitan intramolecular intramolecularly intramontane intramorphemic intramundane intramural interpolar interpolary interpolatable interpolate interpolated interpolates interpolating interpolation interpolations interpolative interpolatively interpolator interpolators interpolatory

whifflingn.1

whifflingn.2adj.2

whifflingadj.1

Derivatives

whifflingn.¹

whifflingn.²adj.²

whifflingadj.¹