Wriggle | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Wrig'gle, v. i.

verbintransitive

(rĭg′gl), v. i. [imp. & p. p. WRIGGLED; p. pr. & vb. n. WRIGGLING.] [L. Ger. wriggeln, wrickeln, wricken, wraggeln, wrakkeln, wrukkeln, D. wrikken, Sw. wricka, Dan. vrikke, allied to A.-S. wrigian, to bend, to follow, wrīxlian, wrīxlan, to change.] To move the body to and fro with short motions; to twist uneasily or quickly about.

Both he and his successors would often wriggle in their seats, as long as the cushion lasted. Swift.

Wrig'gle, v. t.

verbtransitive

(rĭg'gl), v. t. To put into a quick, reciprocating motion; to move by twisting and squirming, like a worm.

Covetousness will wriggle itself out at a small hole. Fuller.

*Wriggling his body to recover His seat, and cast his right leg over Hudibras.*

Wrig'gle, a.

adjective

(rĭg'gl), a. Wriggling; frisky; pliant; flexible. [Obs.] Spenser.