Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MED'DLE, v.i. [D. middelen, to mediate; G. mittler, middle, and mediator; Sw. medlare; Dan. midler, a mediator. Qu. Sw. meddela, Dan. meddeler, to communicate or participate; med, with, and dela, deeler, to deal. Meddle seems to be connected with medley, a mixture. Chaucer and Spenser use medle, to mix, and the G. mittler is evidently from mitte, mittel, middle, which seems to be connected with mit, with. In W. mid signifies an inclosure. Perhaps all these words may belong to one family.]

1. To have to do; to take part; to interpose and act in the concerns of others, or in affairs in which one's interposition is not necessary; often with the sense of intrusion or officiousness. I have thus far been an upright judge, not meddling with the design nor disposition. – Dryden. What hast thou to do to meddle with the affairs of my family? – Arbuthnot. Why shouldst thou meddle to thy hurt? – 2 Kings xiv.
2. To have to do; to touch; to handle. Meddle not with edge-tools, is an admonition to children. When the object is specified, meddle is properly followed by with or in; usually by the former. The civil lawyers – have meddled in a matter that belongs not to them. – Locke.