—n.
1 colloq. or derog. a stringed instrument played with a bow, esp. a violin.
2 colloq. an instance of cheating or fraud.
3 Naut. a contrivance for stopping things from rolling or sliding off a table in bad weather.
—v.
1 intr. a (often foll. by with, at) play restlessly. b (often foll. by about) move aimlessly. c act idly or frivolously. d (usu. foll. by with) make minor adjustments; tinker (esp. in an attempt to make improvements).
2 tr. sl. a cheat, swindle. b falsify. c get by cheating.
3 a intr. play the fiddle. b tr. play (a tune etc.) on the fiddle.
Phrases and idioms:
as fit as a fiddle in very good health. face as long as a fiddle a dismal face. fiddle-back a fiddle-shaped back of a chair or front of a chasuble. fiddle-head a scroll-like carving at a ship's bows. fiddle pattern the pattern of spoons and forks with fiddle-shaped handles. play second (or first) fiddle take a subordinate (or leading) role.
Etymology: OE fithele f. Gmc f. a Rmc root rel. to VIOL
Useful english dictionary. 2012.