GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 5 definitions

1.       
   Riddle (rĭdˈd'l), n. [OE. ridil, AS. hridder; akin to G. reiter, L. cribrum, and to Gr. κρίνειν to distinguish, separate, and G. rein clean. See Crisis, Certain.]
   1. A sieve with coarse meshes, usually of wire, for separating coarser materials from finer, as chaff from grain, cinders from ashes, or gravel from sand.
   
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   2. A board having a row of pins, set zigzag, between which wire is drawn to straighten it.
   
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2.       
   Riddle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Riddled (rĭdˈd'ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Riddling (rĭdˈdlĭng).]
   1. To separate, as grain from the chaff, with a riddle; to pass through a riddle; as, “riddle wheat; to riddle coal or gravel”.
   
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   2. To perforate so as to make like a riddle; to make many holes in; as, “a house riddled with shot”.
   
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3.       
   Riddle, n. [For riddels, s being misunderstood as the plural ending; OE. ridels, redels. AS. rǣdels; akin to D. raadsel, G. räthsel; fr. AS. rǣdan to counsel or advise, also, to guess.  √116.  Cf. Read.] Something proposed to be solved by guessing or conjecture; a puzzling question; an ambiguous proposition; an enigma; hence, anything ambiguous or puzzling.
   
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   To wring from me, and tell to them, my secret,
   
   That solved the riddle which I had proposed. Milton.
   
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   'T was a strange riddle of a lady. Hudibras.
   
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4.       
   Riddle, v. t. To explain; to solve; to unriddle.
   
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   Riddle me this, and guess him if you can. Dryden.
   
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5.       
   Riddle, v. i. To speak ambiguously or enigmatically. “Lysander riddles very prettily.”  Shak.
   
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