What (who) is niggle - definition
SHORT STORY
Niggle; Niggling; Niggle's Leaf; Leaf By Niggle
niggle
¦ verb
1. cause slight but persistent annoyance, discomfort, or anxiety.
2. criticize in a petty way.
¦ noun a trivial criticism, worry, or annoyance.
Derivatives
niggling adjective
nigglingly adverb
niggly adjective
Origin
C17: appar. of Scand. origin.
Niggle
·vt To trifle or play.
II. Niggle ·vt To act or walk mincingly.
III. Niggle ·vt To fret and snarl about trifles.
IV. Niggle ·add. ·vt To elaborate excessively, as in art.
V. Niggle ·add. ·vt To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner.
VII. Niggle ·add. ·vi To move about restlessly or without result; to Fidget.
VIII. Niggle ·add. ·vi To be finicky or excessively critical; to Potter; ·esp., to work with excessive care for trifling details, as in painting.
niggle
(niggles, niggling, niggled)
1.
If something niggles you, it causes you to worry slightly over a long period of time. (mainly BRIT)
I realise now that the things which used to niggle and annoy me just don't really matter...
It's been niggling at my mind ever since I met Neville in Nice...
The puzzle niggled away in Arnold's mind.
VERB: V n, V at n, V away, also V
•
Niggle is also a noun.
So why is there a little niggle at the back of my mind?
N-COUNT
2.
If someone niggles you, they annoy you by continually criticizing you for what you think are small or unimportant things. (mainly BRIT)
I don't react anymore when opponents try to niggle me...
You tend to niggle at your partner, and get hurt when he doesn't hug you.
VERB: V n, V at n, also V, V n that
•
Niggle is also a noun.
The life we have built together is more important than any minor niggle either of us might have.
N-COUNT
Wikipedia
Leaf by Niggle
"Leaf by Niggle" is a short story written by J. R. R. Tolkien in 1938–39 and first published in the Dublin Review in January 1945. It can be found, most notably, in Tolkien's book titled Tree and Leaf, and in other places (including the collections The Tolkien Reader, Poems & Stories, A Tolkien Miscellany, and Tales from the Perilous Realm). This is notable because the book, consisting of a seminal essay called "On Fairy-Stories" and "Leaf by Niggle", offers the underlying philosophy (Creation and Sub-Creation, see below) of much of Tolkien's fantastical writings.
"Leaf by Niggle" is often seen as an allegory of Tolkien's own creative process, and, to an extent, of his own life.
Pronunciation examples for niggle
1. So any little communication, niggle, or conundrum, or just
The Connections Book _ Emma Serlin & Jamie Chapman _ Talks at Google
Examples of use of niggle
1. Perhaps a fortuitously timed niggle will keep Harmison out of the match altogether...
2. Amid the brief euphoria about London winning the Olympics, I did have one niggle of doubt.
3. Dravid said the bowler had a slight niggle but that he should be ok.
4. I‘ve only one minor niggle, before Delia is nominated for sainthood.
5. For Bangladesh, pacer Mashrafe Mortaza returns to the side after recovering from a slight niggle to replace Shahadat Hossain.