English

Verb

fangle ‎(third-person singular simple present fangles, present participle fangling, simple past and past participle fangled)

1. (obsolete or dialectal) To fashion, manufacture, invent, or create.
   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     To control and new fangle the Scripture.

2. (obsolete or dialectal) To trim showily; entangle; hang about.
3. (obsolete or dialectal) To waste time; trifle.

Usage notes

Although obsolete in general English, the verb is still occasionally used in some regions, and is retained in the expression new fangled.

Derived terms

• fangleness
• newfangle
• newfangled

Etymology 2

Back formation from newfangled ‎(adjective) as if new + fangle ‎(noun). See newfangle.

Noun

fangle ‎(plural fangles)

1. (obsolete) A prop; a taking up; a new thing.
2. Something newly fashioned; a novelty, a new fancy.
3. A foolish innovation; a gewgaw; a trifling ornament.
4. A conceit; whim.

Anagrams

• flange