v.
- play or fiddle with, typically in a purposeless or nervous way.
- archaic turn or move in a twirling way.
n.
- an act of twiddling.
- a rapid or intricate series of musical notes.
Phrase
- twiddle one's thumbs
have nothing to do.
Derivative
Etymology
C16 (in the sense ‘trifle’): appar. imitative, combining twirl or twist with fiddle.