Word: fiddle Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English fithele, from Old English *fiþele, from Proto-West Germanic *fiþulā, from Proto-Germanic *fiþulǭ (“fiddle”), of uncertain etymology. Some contest that the Germanic terms are borrowed variations of Late Latin vitula (see viola); others contest that the word has a separate origin within Germanic languages, and still others believe that the Late Latin term for the stringed instrument is a borrowing from Germanic as a change of Latin t to Germanic þ is highly improbable, yet Germanic þ to Latin t is well documented (see troop, trousers, Teobaldo, etc.). Cognate with Old High German fidula (German Fiedel), Middle Dutch vedele (Dutch vedel, veel), Old Norse fiðla (Icelandic fiðla, Danish fiddel, Norwegian fela, Swedish fela). The change from /ðl/ to /dl/ in modern English is regular; compare Bedlam, staddle, swaddle (in brothel, it was prevented; see that entry for discussion). Pronunciation: /ˈfɪd(ə)l/, /ˈfɪdl̩/, [ˈfɪɾl̩] 1. A violin, a small unfretted stringed instrument with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) G-D-A-E, usually held against the chin, shoulder, chest or on the upper thigh and played with a bow (see also usage notes below). Example: ...Of harpe & of salteriun. of fiðele & of coriun... Example: Johnny, rosin up your bow and play your fiddle hard 'Cause Hell's broke loose in Georgia an' the Devil deals the cards... 2. Any of various other bowed stringed instruments, particularly those of the violin family when played non-classically. Labels: proscribed, usually Example: The fiddle of these early times, however, was the viol and not our modern violin. 3. A violinist, or fiddler, in a band. Example: He is first fiddle in the band. 4. Something resembling a violin, or fiddle, in shape 5. Something resembling a violin, or fiddle, in shape 6. Something resembling a violin, or fiddle, in shape 7. A clown; an unserious person entertaining a group. Labels: figuratively Example: You would not have your Son the Fiddle to every jovial Company. 8. Unskillful or unartful behavior, particularly when showy and superficially pleasing. Labels: figuratively, informal Example: There was some kind of fiddle going on at that company, and several of the directors were arrested. Example: Says Bevin: 'I want peace... and we shan't get it unless we deal with one another as friends. I will be a party to no fiddles.' 9. Unskillful or unartful behavior, particularly when showy and superficially pleasing. Labels: figuratively, informal Example: That parameter setting is just a fiddle to make the lighting look right. 10. Unskillful or unartful behavior, particularly when showy and superficially pleasing. Labels: figuratively, informal Example: Most people are quite careful about buying appliances. When looking at TVs for instance you might look for a particular brand, peruse the definition and colors on the screen, and maybe even have a fiddle with the remote. 11. Any rail or device that prevents items from sliding off a table, stove, etc. in rough water. Labels: especially Example: The meal is served on special trays which slot into the arms of airline-type seats of the passenger coaches. The trays have fiddles for each of the plates, cups and glasses, and the crockery is so well-designed that it is seldom any of the contents get spilled. 12. An arrest warrant. Labels: UK, obsolete, slang 13. A watchman's rattle. Labels: UK, obsolete, slang 14. A trifling amount. Labels: UK, obsolete, slang Example: Done at a fiddle.