riddle

Meaning

Noun

1. A verbal puzzle, mystery, or other problem of an intellectual nature.
2. An ancient verbal, poetic, or literary form, in which, rather than a rhyme scheme, there are parallel opposing expressions with a hidden meaning.

Verb

1. To speak ambiguously or enigmatically.
2. To solve, answer, or explicate a riddle or question.

Verb

1. To put something through a riddle or sieve; to sieve; to sift.
2. To fill with holes like a riddle.
3. To fill or spread throughout; to pervade (with something destructive or weakening).

Verb

To plait.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɹɪdəl/

Etymology

From Middle English redel, redels, from Old English rǣdels, rǣdelse (“counsel, opinion, imagination, riddle”), from Proto-West Germanic *rādislī (“counsel, conjecture”). Analyzable as rede (“advice”) + -le. Akin to Old English rǣdan (“to read, advise, interpret”).