Difference between revisions of "Riddle"
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] redels, ridel, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] rǣdelse [[opinion]], conjecture, riddle; akin to Old English rǣdan to [[interpret]] — more at [[read]] | [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] redels, ridel, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] rǣdelse [[opinion]], conjecture, riddle; akin to Old English rǣdan to [[interpret]] — more at [[read]] | ||
| − | *Date: before [ | + | *Date: before [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/12th_Century 12th century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1 : a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a [[problem]] to be solved or guessed : conundrum, [[enigma]] | *1 : a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a [[problem]] to be solved or guessed : conundrum, [[enigma]] | ||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
*see [[mystery]] and [[enigma]] | *see [[mystery]] and [[enigma]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | A '''riddle''' is a [[statement]] or question or phrase having a double or veiled [[meaning]], put forth as a puzzle to be solved. Riddles are of two types: [[enigmas]], which are problems generally [[expressed]] in [[metaphorical]] or allegorical [[language]] that require ingenuity and careful [[thinking]] for their solution, and conundrums, which are questions relying for their [[effects]] on punning in either the question or the answer. Example: Hate is like a desert, you never know when it's going to break.[ | + | A '''riddle''' is a [[statement]] or question or phrase having a double or veiled [[meaning]], put forth as a puzzle to be solved. Riddles are of two types: [[enigmas]], which are problems generally [[expressed]] in [[metaphorical]] or allegorical [[language]] that require ingenuity and careful [[thinking]] for their solution, and conundrums, which are questions relying for their [[effects]] on punning in either the question or the answer. Example: Hate is like a desert, you never know when it's going to break.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riddle] |
[[Category: Languages and Literature]] | [[Category: Languages and Literature]] | ||
Latest revision as of 02:32, 13 December 2020
Etymology
Middle English redels, ridel, from Old English rǣdelse opinion, conjecture, riddle; akin to Old English rǣdan to interpret — more at read
- Date: before 12th century
Definitions
- 1 : a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed : conundrum, enigma
- 2 : something or someone difficult to understand
Synonyms
Description
A riddle is a statement or question or phrase having a double or veiled meaning, put forth as a puzzle to be solved. Riddles are of two types: enigmas, which are problems generally expressed in metaphorical or allegorical language that require ingenuity and careful thinking for their solution, and conundrums, which are questions relying for their effects on punning in either the question or the answer. Example: Hate is like a desert, you never know when it's going to break.[1]
