fiddle
/ˈfɪdl̩/ noun C1- 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). · When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like that, it's a violin.
- Any of various other bowed stringed instruments, particularly those of the violin family when played non-classically.
- A violinist, or fiddler, in a band. · He is first fiddle in the band.
- A dock (Rumex pulcher) with leaves supposed to resemble the musical instrument.
- A long pole pulled by a draft animal to drag loose straw, hay, etc.
- A rack for drying pottery after glazing.
- A clown; an unserious person entertaining a group.
- A scam; a fraud or swindle. · There was some kind of fiddle going on at that company, and several of the directors were arrested.
Plural fiddles
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
Leaning back in his arm-chair of an evening, he would close his eyes and scrape carelessly at the fiddle which was thrown across his knee.
My companion was in the best of spirits, and prattled away about Cremona fiddles, and the difference between a Stradivarius and an Amati.
“My fiddle would be the better for new strings,” he remarked.
"But, I say, what about that bloomin' fiddle!
Other matches
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