Definition of "fiddle" in Anglais

noun

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).
- ...Of harpe & of salteriun. of fiðele & of coriun...
- When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like that, it's a violin.
(usually proscribed) 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.
Something resembling a violin, or fiddle, in shape, particularly:
(figurative) A clown; an unserious person entertaining a group.
(figurative) Unskillful or unartful behavior, particularly when showy and superficially pleasing.
(especially nautical) Any rail or device that prevents items from sliding off a table, stove, etc. in rough water.
(UK slang, obsolete) An arrest warrant.
(UK slang, obsolete) A watchman's rattle.
(UK slang, obsolete) A trifling amount.
- Done at a fiddle.

verb

(intransitive) To play the fiddle or violin, particularly in a folk or country style.
- to fiddle while Rome burns
(informal, transitive) To fraudulently manipulate (records, accounts, etc.) in order to cheat or swindle.
- Fred was sacked when the auditors caught him fiddling the books.
(intransitive) To fidget or play; to fuss; to idly amuse oneself, to act aimlessly, idly, or frivolously, particularly out of nervousness or restlessness; see also fiddle with.
- Sit up straight and stop fiddling!
(informal, intransitive) Synonym of tinker (“to make small adjustments or improvements”); see also fiddle with.
- I don't exactly know how to fix this lawnmower; I'm really just fiddling.
(intransitive, UK, slang, obsolete) To do odd jobs for money.

interjection

Synonym of fiddlesticks or euphemism for fuck.
- Oh, fiddle. I left my whip in the stable.