Frittered: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Middle English 'fritteren', which means to break into pieces or to waste.
• Its roots can be traced back to the Old French word 'frit', which is related to frying or cooking things in small pieces.

Cultural Usage

• In various cultures, the idea of frittering away time is criticized, particularly in the context of productivity and work ethics.
• Historical figures like Benjamin Franklin emphasized the importance of time management, warning against frittering away precious moments.

Psychology

• Studies suggest that procrastinating or frittering away time can lead to increased stress and anxiety, as tasks pile up.
• The brain often seeks instant gratification, making it easy to fritter time on distractions instead of focusing on long-term goals.

Literature

• Frittering often serves as a theme in literature, showing characters struggling with distractions that divert them from their goals.
• Poets and writers have used the concept of frittering as a metaphor for the passage of time and lost opportunities.

Modern Context

• In today’s digital age, many people fritter away hours on social media, affecting their productivity and well-being.
• Apps and tools are being developed to help people manage their time better and avoid frittering away precious hours online.

This word's position of #31,640 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 31637 interminably
• 31638 evangelize
• 31639 tepee
• 31640 frittered
• 31641 paralyse
• 31642 downing
• 31643 wheezed
• ...