Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [rid-l]
- /ˈrɪd l/
- /ˈrɪd.l̩/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [rid-l]
- /ˈrɪd l/
Definitions of riddling word
- noun riddling a coarse sieve, as one for sifting sand in a foundry. 1
- verb without object riddling to propound riddles; speak enigmatically. 1
- verb with object riddling to pierce with many holes, suggesting those of a sieve: to riddle the target. 1
- verb with object riddling to fill or affect with (something undesirable, weakening, etc.): a government riddled with graft. 1
- verb with object riddling to impair or refute completely by persistent verbal attacks: to riddle a person's reputation. 1
- verb with object riddling to sift through a riddle, as gravel; screen. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of riddling
First appearance:
before 1000 One of the 6% oldest English words
before 1000; Middle English redel, redels (noun), Old English rǣdels(e) counsel, opinion, imagination, riddle (rǣd(an) to counsel, rede + -els(e) deverbal noun suffix) with loss of -s- in ME through confusion with the plural form of the noun suffix -el -le (cf. burial); cognate with German Rätsel, Dutch raadsel
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Riddling
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
riddling popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 94% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 60% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
riddling usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSee also
Matching words
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