Nigel

English

Etymology

English form of Latin Nigellus, from nigellus (“slightly black”), diminutive of niger (“(shining) black”), particularly used in the Middle Ages to Latinize Norman Néel and Irish Neil.

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU):

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /ˈnaɪd͡ʒəl/
• Rhymes: -aɪdʒəl

Proper noun

Nigel

1. A male given name from Latin, of mostly British usage.
   • 1822, Walter Scott, chapter XXIII, in The Fortunes of Nigel:

     'I thought, sir,' answered Nigel, with as much haughtiness as was consistent with the cool distance he desired to preserve, 'I thought I had told you, my name was Nigel Grahame.'
     His eminence of Whitefriars on this burst into a loud, chuckling, impudent laugh, repeating the word, till his voice was almost inarticulate, - 'Niggle Green - Niggle Green - Niggle Green! why, my lord, you would be queered in the drinking of a penny pot of Malmsey, if you cry before you are touched.'

Derived terms

• Nigella (feminine form)
• Niyjale (rare; African-American)
• Nige (colloquial, UK and Australian)

Noun

Nigel (plural Nigels)

1. (Australia, derogatory, youth slang) Synonym of dweeb (“boring or socially inept person”)

   He's such a Nigel, hanging around in the library all day by himself.

2. (slang, derogatory) An Englishman.

Synonyms

• Nigel no friends
• Nigel no mates
• Nige

Anagrams

• Elgin, Elgin., Eling, Ingle, ingle, linge

Cebuano

Etymology

From English Nigel.

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: Ni‧gel

Noun

Nigel

1. a male given name from English [in turn from Latin]