verb. (colloquial).—1. To advance by slow degrees, or small motions: e.g., TO TIDDLE a ball, a marble, a wheelbarrow, etc. Also TO TIDDLE A GIRL = to master her inchmeal. Whence TIDDLING = getting on bit by bit. Also (=) to potter; to fidget.
1748. RICHARDSON, Clarissa, I. 322. To leave the family pictures from his sons to you, because you could TIDDLE about them, and though you now neglect their examples, could wipe and clean them with your dainty hands.
