<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>A musical instrument of the viol family.</li><li>Nautical: A small ledge or barrier raised in heavy weather to keep dishes, pots, utensils, etc., from sliding off tables and stoves.</li><li>British Informal: Swindle; fraud.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong> (used without object)</p><ul><li>To play on the fiddle.</li><li>To make trifling or fussing movements with the hands (often followed by "with"): fiddling with his cuffs.</li><li>To touch or manipulate something, as to operate or adjust it; tinker (often followed by "with").</li><li>To waste time; trifle; dally (often followed by "around").</li><li>British Informal: To cheat.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb</strong> (used with object)</p><ul><li>To play (a tune) on a fiddle.</li><li>To trifle or waste (usually used with "away"): to fiddle time away.</li><li>Bookbinding: To bind together (sections or leaves of a book) by threading a cord through holes cut lengthwise into the back.</li><li>British Informal: To falsify; to fiddle the account books.</li><li>To cheat: To fiddle the company out of expense money.</li></ul>