rid·dle¹ (rĭd'l)
tr.v., -dled, -dling, -dles.

1. To pierce with numerous holes; perforate: riddle a target with bullets.
2. To spread throughout: "Election campaigns have always been riddled with demagogy and worse" (New Republic).
3. To put (gravel, for example) through a coarse sieve.

n.
A coarse sieve, as for gravel.

[Middle English ridelen, to sift, from riddil, sieve, from Old English hriddel.]

riddler rid'dler n.

rid·dle² (rĭd'l)
n.

1. A question or statement requiring thought to answer or understand; a conundrum.
2. One that is perplexing; an enigma.

v., -dled, -dling, -dles.

v.tr.
To solve or explain.

v.intr.

1. To propound or solve riddles.
2. To speak in riddles.

[Middle English redels, from Old English rǣdels.]

riddler rid'dler n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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