addle

[ ad-l ]

verb (used with or without object)

, ad·dled, ad·dling.

1. to make or become confused.
2. to make or become rotten, as eggs.

adjective

1. mentally confused; muddled.
2. rotten ( def 1 ):

   addle eggs.

addle

¹

/ ˈædəl /

verb

1. to make or become confused or muddled
2. to make or become rotten

adjective

1. in combination indicating a confused or muddled state

   addle-brained

   addle-pated

addle

²

/ ˈædəl /

verb

1. dialect.
   to earn (money or one's living)

Other Words From

• ad·dled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of addle¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English adel “rotten,” Old English adela “liquid, filth”; cognate with Middle Low German adele “liquid manure”

Word History and Origins

Origin of addle¹

C18: (vb), back formation from addled, from c13 addle rotten, from Old English adela filth; related to dialect German Addel liquid manure

Origin of addle²

C13: addlen, from Old Norse öthlask to gain possession of property, from ōthal property

Example Sentences

To Richard and to Musa there were homage and flattery enough to addle wiser wits than theirs.

From Project Gutenberg

The fact was that there may have been an addle-pated Red among the mill hands of that time, but if there was I had never met him.

From Project Gutenberg

I wonder they had not abandoned it; for a crack of light into a wren's nest would certainly addle the eggs.

From Project Gutenberg

You know he has nothing to recommend him but money and a ridiculous roll of addle-headed predecessors; now, don't you?

From Project Gutenberg

But says I to my eye, Addle Wildenheim has two much spirit of her own to covet her neighbour's goods.

From Project Gutenberg