riffled
|rif-fled|
/ˈrɪfəl/
(riffle)
to cause or be affected by quick light movements (flip through / make small ripples / shuffle)
Etymology
'riffle' is of uncertain origin in English; it is often considered imitative (echoic) in origin, imitating the sound or action of brushing or flipping.
'riffle' appears in early modern English with senses related to turning pages or making small ripples; the verb form produced past forms such as 'riffled' and gradually entered specific contexts like card shuffling ('riffle shuffle').
Originally associated with quick, light movements or sounds (an imitative sense), the word developed specific uses: flipping through pages, disturbing a surface into small ripples, and the technical action of shuffling cards; these senses coexist in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
past tense or past participle form of 'riffle', meaning to turn over or leaf through pages or papers quickly.
She riffled through the stack of letters looking for the one with the bill.
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Verb 2
past tense or past participle form of 'riffle', meaning to shuffle cards by splitting the deck and letting the cards fall together (a riffle shuffle).
He riffled the deck twice before dealing the cards.
Synonyms
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Last updated: 2025/09/27 04:20