stickle

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stickle †act as umpire; †settle (a dispute, etc.); †strive persistently XVI; contend for XVII; make difficulties XIX. alt. of †stightle, †stiʒtil arrange, control (XIII), bestir oneself, strive (XIV), frequent. (see -LE3) of †stight, OE. stiht(i)an arrange, corr. to ON. stétta (:- *stihtan) support, help.
Hence stickler (-ER1) (dial.) moderator, umpire, †active partisan XVI; one who is insistent for XVII.

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