Riddle
WordNet
noun
(1) A coarse sieve (as for gravel)
(2) A difficult problem
verb
(3) Set a difficult problem or riddle
"Riddle me a riddle"
(4) Explain a riddle
(5) Speak in riddles
(6) Spread or diffuse through
"An atmosphere of distrust has permeated this administration"
"Music penetrated the entire building"
"His campaign was riddled with accusations and personal attacks"
(7) Pierce with many holes
"The bullets riddled his body"
(8) Separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff
WiktionaryText
Etymology 1
, , from , , from . Akin to rādisli ( raadsel), rādisle ( Rätsel "riddle"), rǣdan "to read, advise, interpret"
Noun
- A verbal puzzle, mystery, or other problem of an intellectual nature, such as "It's black, and white, and red all over. What is it?"
- A sieve.
Etymology 2
ridelen "to sift" from riddil, ridelle "sieve" from hriddel "sieve", alteration of earlier hridder, hrīder from from from . Akin to Reiter "sieve", hreinn "pure, clean", hreini "pure, clean", hrains "clean, pure". More at rinse
Verb
- to fill with holes
- The shots from his gun began to riddle the target.
- to fill or spread throughout; to pervade
- Your argument is riddled with errors.
- to solve, answer, or explicate a riddle or question
- Riddle me this...., meaning Answer the following question.
- to put something through a sieve
- You have to riddle the gravel before you lay it on the road.