I was being redundant
English
Etymology
First attested in 1599. Origin uncertain, but likely a borrowing from Norwegian nigla (“to be stingy”), ultimately from Old Norse hnøggr (“stingy; miserly”), related to Old English hnēaw (“stingy; niggardly”). More at niggard.
Pronunciation
IPA(key): /ˈnɪɡəl/
Rhymes: -ɪɡəl
Noun
niggle (plural niggles)
A minor complaint or problem.
(obsolete)
Small, cramped handwriting.
Verb
niggle (third-person singular simple present niggles, present participle niggling, simple past and past participle niggled)
(transitive, obsolete) To trifle with; to deceive; to mock.
(transitive) To use, spend, or do in a petty or trifling manner.
(intransitive) To dwell too much on minor points or on trifling details.
(intransitive, chiefly Britain) To fidget, fiddle, be restless.
Derived terms
niggly