juggle

present singular third person juggles · participle present juggling · participle past juggled · past juggled

1. To manipulate objects, such as balls, clubs, beanbags, rings, etc. in an artful or artistic manner.

   She can juggle flaming torches.

2. datedintransitiveTo perform various magic tricks or circus skills such as the diabolo, devil sticks, hat, and cigar box manipulation.

   1 more example

   God alone knows where he came from, but he was in the camp one evening juggling for stray coppers in a bowl. Pretty good juggling too it seemed to be, of the usual Indian kind—growing a plant out of a pumpkin seed, turning a stick into a live snake, and the old sword and basket trick that every Eastern conjurer keeps up his sleeve; […]

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

3. To handle or manage many tasks at once.

   He juggled home, school, and work for two years.

4. ambitransitiveTo deceive by trick or artifice.

   I think they are juggling the company's books.

   2 more examples

   Is't possible the spells of France should juggle / Men into such strange mysteries?

   1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]

   Be these juggling fiends no more believed.

   c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene viii]

   Synonyms: fudge, massage

5. archaicintransitiveTo joke or jest.

plural juggles

1. artsThe act of throwing and catching each prop at least twice, as opposed to a flash.
2. The handling or managing of many tasks at once.

   Quit the juggle and monotask.

   2018, Catherine Blyth, Enjoy Time, page 100

3. archaicThe performance of a magic trick.
4. archaicA deceit or imposture.

   I could not believe that she was dead. The lips were red, nay redder than before; and on the cheeks was a delicate bloom. “Is this a juggle?” I said to him.

   1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula