dial. or colloq. [f. next vb.]

1

  1.  The action or habit of fidgeting; the state of being fidgety: in phr. to be in a fidge; also, a commotion, stir, fuss.

2

1731.  Swift, Tim and the Fables, Wks. 1778, IX. 158.

        Tim with surprise and pleasure staring,
Ran to the glass, and then comparing
His own sweet figure with the print,
Distinguish’d ev’ry feature in’t,
The twist, the squeeze, the rump, the fidge and all,
Just as they look’d in the original.

3

1790.  J. Macaulay, Poems, 129.

        For gang to ony place we like,
Wade thro’ the loch, or jump the dyke,
An’ wearied be as ony tyke
            When night comes on,
No ane gi’es e’er a fidge or fyke,
            Or yet a moan.

4

1824.  W. Stephenson, Gateshead Local Poems, 56.

        A buck came riding ’long the bridge,
  Some call’d him Mister George,
And Crumby said, ‘He’s in a fidge
  To get to Beamish forge.’

5

1887.  Ruskin, Præterita, II. vi. 189. ‘There’ll be such a fidge about you, when you’re gone.’

6

  2.  A restless person.

7

1884.  in Cheshire Gloss.

8