niggard
[noun]
Synonyms: miser, cheapskate (informal), Scrooge, skinflint

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

niggard noun, adjective, & verb. ['nɪgǝd] LME.
[Alt. of NIGON by suffix-substitution of -ARD.]
A. noun.
1. A mean, stingy, or parsimonious person; a miser; a person who grudgingly parts with, spends, or uses up anything. (Foll. by of.) LME.

2. A movable piece of iron or fire-brick placed in the side or bottom of a grate to save fuel. Also niggard iron. dial. L17.
b. adjective. Now literary.
1. = NIGGARDLY adjective 1. LME.

2. = NIGGARDLY adjective 2. LME-L16.
C. verb. rare.
1. verb intrans. & trans. (with it). Act in a niggardly fashion. L16-E17.

2. verb trans. Be sparing or niggardly of. L16-E17.

3. verb trans. Put off with a small amount of something; treat in a niggardly fashion. Only in E17.

■ niggardise noun [-ISE¹] niggardliness E16-M18.

■ niggardize verb (rare) (a) verb intrans. & trans. (with it) be niggardly; (b) verb trans. give in a niggardly fashion: E17.

■ niggardness noun (now rare) niggardliness E16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲