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definitions

quibble

[ kwib-uhl ]
/ ˈkwɪb əl /
||
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noun

an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
the general use of such arguments.
petty or carping criticism; a minor objection.

verb (used without object), quib·bled, quib·bling.

to equivocate.
to carp; cavil.

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RELATED WORDS

nicety, squabble, bicker, carp, waffle, spar, wrangle, cavil, dodge, niggle, equivocation, evasion, quirk, prevarication, shift, subtlety, duplicity, criticism, protest, sophism

Nearby words

  1. qui nhon,
  2. qui nhong,
  3. qui transtulit sustinet,
  4. qui vive,
  5. quib,
  6. quibbling,
  7. quibblingly,
  8. quibdó,
  9. quiberon,
  10. quiche

Origin of quibble

1605–15; perhaps derivative (cf. -le) of quib gibe, apparently akin to quip
Related formsquib·bler, nounout·quib·ble, verb (used with object), out·quib·bled, out·quib·bling.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for quibble

British Dictionary definitions for quibble

quibble

/ (ˈkwɪbəl) /

verb (intr)

to make trivial objections; prevaricate
archaic to play on words; pun

noun

a trivial objection or equivocation, esp one used to avoid an issue
archaic a pun
Derived Formsquibbler, nounquibbling, adjective, nounquibblingly, adverb

Word Origin for quibble

C17: probably from obsolete quib, perhaps from Latin quibus (from quī who, which), as used in legal documents, with reference to their obscure phraseology
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
Word Origin and History for quibble
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper