wriggle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of wiggling
    wiggle; squirm.
  2. verb to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)
    twist; wrestle; writhe; worm; squirm.
    • The prisoner writhed in discomfort
    • The child tried to wriggle free from his aunt's embrace

WordNet

Wrig"gle intransitive verb
Etymology
Freq. of wrig, probably from OE. wrikken to move to and fro; cf. LG. wriggeln, D. wrikken, Sw. vricka, Dan. vrikke.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Wriggled ; present participle & verbal noun Wriggling
Definitions
  1. To move the body to and fro with short, writhing motions, like a worm; to squirm; to twist uneasily or quickly about.
    Both he and successors would often wriggle in their seats, as long as the cushion lasted. Swift.
Wrig"gle transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To move with short, quick contortions; to move by twisting and squirming; like a worm.
    Covetousness will wriggle itself out at a small hole. Fuller.
    Wriggling his body to recover His seat, and cast his right leg over. Hudibras.
Wrig"gle adjective
Definitions
  1. Wriggling; frisky; pliant; flexible. Obs. "Their wriggle tails." Spenser.

Webster 1913