Definition

1. Noun:

   • A coarse sieve: A device with a perforated or meshed bottom, used for separating coarser materials from finer ones, such as gravel from sand.
   • A difficult problem or question, typically presented as a puzzle or enigma: A statement or question phrased in a deliberately puzzling or ambiguous way, requiring clever thinking to solve or understand.

2. Verb:

   • To speak in or explain a riddle: To express something in a puzzling, ambiguous, or enigmatic manner.
   • To pierce with many holes: To make numerous holes in something, typically with a projectile.
   • To spread or diffuse through; to permeate: To fill or be present throughout every part of something (often used figuratively).
   • To separate with a riddle (sieve): To sift or separate material using a coarse sieve.
   • To set a difficult problem or riddle: To pose a puzzling question or problem to someone.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The ancient riddle of the Sphinx has fascinated people for centuries.
  • He used a large wooden riddle to separate the stones from the soil.

• Verb:

  • The poet's verses often riddle, leaving the meaning open to interpretation.
  • Machine gun fire riddled the wall of the building.
  • A sense of excitement riddled the crowd before the concert.
  • Farmers used to riddle grain to remove chaff and impurities.

Advanced Usage

• "to be riddled with something": To be full of something, especially something undesirable.

  • The old report was riddled with errors and inconsistencies.
  • His argument was riddled with logical fallacies.

• "to talk/speak in riddles": To speak in a confusing or ambiguous way that is difficult to understand.

  • Stop talking in riddles and tell me what you really mean.

Variants and Related Words

• Riddler (n): A person who poses or speaks in riddles.
  • In the story, the hero had to outsmart the cunning riddler to pass.

Synonyms

• Noun (puzzle): Enigma, conundrum, puzzle, mystery, brain-teaser.
• Verb (permeate): Permeate, pervade, infuse, saturate, impregnate.
• Verb (pierce): Pierce, perforate, puncture, honeycomb.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Riddle" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed through the verb itself or the construction "be riddled with.")

Related Idioms

• "Riddle me this...": A phrase used to introduce a puzzling question or riddle, often in a playful or challenging tone.
  • Riddle me this: What has keys but can't open locks?

Noun

1. a coarse sieve (as for gravel)
2. a difficult problem

Verb

1. explain a riddle
2. speak in riddles
3. 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
4. separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff
5. set a difficult problem or riddle
   • riddle me a riddle
6. pierce with many holes
   • The bullets riddled his body