cavil

[ kav-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, cav·iled, cav·il·ing or (especially British) cav·illed, cav·il·ling.

1. to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about ):

   He finds something to cavil at in everything I say.

   Synonyms: criticize, complain, carp

verb (used with object)

, cav·iled, cav·il·ing or (especially British) cav·illed, cav·il·ling.

1. to oppose by inconsequential, frivolous, or sham objections:

   to cavil each item of a proposed agenda.

noun

1. a trivial and annoying objection.
2. the raising of such objections.

cavil

/ ˈkævɪl /

verb

1. intr; foll by at or about to raise annoying petty objections; quibble; carp

noun

1. a captious trifling objection

Derived Forms

• ˈcaviller, noun
• ˈcavilling, adjective

Other Words From

• cavil·er especially British, cavil·ler noun
• cavil·ing·ly especially British, cavil·ling·ly adverb
• outcavil verb (used with object) outcaviled outcaviling or (especially British) outcavilled outcavilling
• un·cavil·ing adjective
• un·cavil·ling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavil¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin cavillārī “to jeer, scoff, quibble,” derivative of cavilla “jesting, banter,” perhaps derivative of cav(us) “hollow”; cave ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of cavil¹

C16: from Old French caviller, from Latin cavillārī to jeer, from cavilla raillery

Example Sentences

None of these cavils really matter, given that the revivified Sex and the City juggernaut is upon us.

From The Daily Beast

It would be foolish to cavil about living in any city, with its many pleasures and diversions, he says.

From The Daily Beast

There is no hesitation, cavil, or debate in the acceptance of it as a duty.

From Project Gutenberg

I should n't want to have it go abroad that we had not acted formally, if there was any one disposed to cavil.

From Project Gutenberg

Of this he complains, with some cause, as it afterwards occasioned numbers of unsanctified critics to laugh and cavil at him.

From Project Gutenberg

Some discontented Frerons or Arnauds, might cavil against it: but this was rebellion, not controversy.

From Project Gutenberg

This appeared to be a contradiction in terms, but public apathy accepted it without cavil.

From Project Gutenberg