niggle

1 worry unnecessarily or excessively; "don't fuss too much over the grandchildren--they are quite big now" [syn: fuss, fret]

2 argue over petty things; "Let's not quibble over pennies" [syn: quibble, pettifog, bicker, squabble, brabble]

English

Etymology

First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely from nigla and/or nugla.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes with: -ɪɡəl

Noun

1. A minor complaint or problem.
2. Small, cramped handwriting.

Verb

1. To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.
2. To dwell too much on minor points.
3. To fidget, fiddle, be restless.

Derived terms

• niggly

adverse criticism, animadversion, aspersion, bad notices, bad press, bitch, bug, captiousness, carp, carp at, carping, cavil, caviling, censoriousness, complain, criticism, criticize, exception, faultfinding, find fault, flak, fret at, fuss, fuss at, grouse, hairsplitting, hassle, henpeck, hit, home thrust, hostile criticism, hypercriticalness, hypercriticism, imputation, knock, kvetch, nag, nagging, nibble at, niggling, nit, nit-picking, obloquy, overcriticalness, peck at, pester, pestering, pettifogging, pick at, pick on, priggishness, quibble, quibbling, rap, reflection, reproachfulness, slam, stricture, swipe, taking exception, trichoschistism, yap at