Nigel

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 (General Australian):

  (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.'

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.

Anagrams

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

Etymology

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From English Nigel.

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: Ni‧gel

Noun

Nigel

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