quarrel
1[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]
/ ˈkwɔr əl, ˈkwɒr- /
noun
an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations.
a cause of dispute, complaint, or hostile feeling: She has no quarrel with her present salary.
verb (used without object), quar·reled, quar·rel·ing or (especially British) quar·relled, quar·rel·ling.
to disagree angrily; squabble; wrangle.
to end a friendship as a result of a disagreement.
to make a complaint; find fault.
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RELATED WORDS
run-in, discord, tiff, ruckus, argument, wrangle, strife, row, disturbance, altercation, falling-out, spat, dispute, squabble, brawl, misunderstanding, dissension, struggle, fracas, difference
Nearby words
- quarkonium,
- quarks,
- quarles,
- quarles, francis,
- quarnero,
- quarrelsome,
- quarrelsomely,
- quarrian,
- quarrier,
- quarry
Origin of quarrel
11300–50; Middle English querele < Old French < Latin querēla, querella a complaint, derivative of querī to complain
SYNONYMS FOR quarrel
1. argument, contention, controversy, difference, fight. Quarrel, dissension refer to disagreement and conflict. Quarrel applies chiefly to a verbal disagreement between individuals or groups and is used with reference to a large variety of situations, from a slight and petty difference of opinion to a violent altercation: It was little more than a domestic quarrel. Their quarrel led to the barroom brawl. Dissension usually implies a profound disagreement and bitter conflict. It also applies chiefly to conflict within a group or to members of the same group: dissension within the union; dissension among the Democrats. 3. bicker, argue, brawl, fight.
quarrel
2[ kwawr-uh l, kwor- ]
/ ˈkwɔr əl, ˈkwɒr- /
noun
a square-headed bolt or arrow, formerly used with a crossbow.
Also quarry. a small, square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, as used in latticed windows.
any of various tools with pyramidal heads.
Origin of quarrel
21175–1225; Middle English quarel < Old French < Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for quarrel
quarrel
1/ (ˈkwɒrəl) /
noun
an angry disagreement; argument
a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance
verb -rels, -relling or -relled or US -rels, -reling or -reled (intr often foll by with)
to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue
to find fault; complain
Word Origin for quarrel
C14: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complain
noun
an arrow having a four-edged head, fired from a crossbow
a small square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, usually one of many in a fixed or casement window and framed with lead
Word Origin for quarrel
C13: from Old French quarrel pane, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
quarrel
see pick a quarrel.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.