ppl. a. [f. FIDGET v. + -ING2.) In senses of the vb.
1672. Wycherly, Love in a Wood, II. i. Dap. He is a fidgeting, busie, dogmatical, hot-headed Fop.
1754. Richardson, Grandison (1781), VI. li. 319. My fidgetting Lord thrust in (unsent for) his sharp face.
1785. Mad. D’Arblay, Diary, 25 Nov. This was rather fidgetting intelligence.
1839–40. W. Irving, Wolfert’s R. (1855), 5. He had warred for quiet through the fidgetting reign of William the Testy, and the fighting reign of Peter the Headstrong, sharing in every brawl and rib-roasting, in his eagerness to keep the peace and promote public tranquillity.
1865. Pall Mall G., 11 April, 1. Some fidgeting little matter of exchange.
Hence Fidgetingly adv., in a fidgeting manner.
1882. ‘Basil,’ Love the Debt, II. xxviii. 270. Handing her a small parcel which Mabel had seen her take up and put down again furtively and fidgetingly half a dozen times.
1892. Miss Broughton, Mrs. Bligh, in Temple Bar Mag., XCVI. Dec., 570. Pamela is stooping over Mrs. Bligh’s modestly furnished silver table, fidgettingly handling the little objects upon it.
