1 stickle | Definition of stickle
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stickle

verb
stick·​le | \ ˈsti-kÉ™l How to pronounce stickle (audio) \
stickled; stickling\ ˈsti-​k(É™-​)liÅ‹ How to pronounce stickling (audio) \

Definition of stickle

intransitive verb

1 : to contend especially stubbornly and usually on insufficient grounds
2 : to feel scruples : scruple

First Known Use of stickle

1625, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for stickle

alteration of Middle English stightlen, frequentative of stighten to arrange, from Old English stihtan; akin to Old Norse stētta to found, support

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