First Known Use: 1642
Dictionary
stickle
intransitive verb stick·le \ˈsti-kəl\
stick·ledstick·ling \-k(ə-)liŋ\
Definition of STICKLE
1
: to contend especially stubbornly and usually on insufficient grounds
2
: to feel scruples : scruple
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Origin of 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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