riddle
/'ridl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- a coarse sieve (as for gravel)
- a difficult problem
Verb
- explain a riddle
- speak in riddles
- 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
- separate with a riddle, as grain from chaff
- set a difficult problem or riddle
- riddle me a riddle
- pierce with many holes
- The bullets riddled his body