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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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.
OTHER WORDS FROM quarrel
quar·rel·er, nounquar·rel·ing·ly, adverbun·quar·rel·ing, adjectiveun·quar·rel·ling, adjectiveWords nearby quarrel
quark star, quarkonium, quarks, quarles, quarnero, quarrel, quarrelsome, quarrian, quarrier, quarry, quarry tile
Definition for quarrel (2 of 2)
quarrel2
[ 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. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for quarrel
British Dictionary definitions for quarrel (1 of 2)
quarrel1
/ (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
Derived forms of quarrel
quarreller or US quarreler, nounWord Origin for quarrel
C14: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complain
British Dictionary definitions for quarrel (2 of 2)
quarrel2
/ (ˈkwɒrəl) /
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
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Idioms and Phrases with quarrel
quarrel
see pick a quarrel.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
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