quibble
[ kwib-uhl ]
/ ˈkwɪb əl /
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.
Nearby words
quezon y molina, qui nhon, qui nhong, qui transtulit sustinet, qui vive, quibble, quibbling, quibblingly, quibdó, quiberon, quiche
SYNONYMS FOR quibble
Related forms
quib·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 quibbler
If there is one thing I find it difficult to have Christian patience with, it is a quibbler.
Hildegarde's Harvest|Laura E. RichardsYou are a quibbler, I vow; but I would not hear your worst enemy accuse you of being orthodox.
A Nest of Linnets|Frank Frankfort MooreHe was adroit and quick, and was rather a quibbler than a great lawyer.
The Memories of Fifty Years|William H. SparksWith him the quibbler, the doctrinaire, the political economist, has no place.
Sir Charles Napier|Sir William Francis Butler
British Dictionary definitions for quibbler
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 Forms
quibbler, nounquibbling, adjective, nounquibblingly, adverbWord 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
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