cavil
verb (used without object)
to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at orabout ).
was cavilling
-
past progressiveof cavil.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Queen was cavilling over the accounts, and would give no orders for money till she had demanded the meaning of every penny that she was charged….
From Sea-Power and Other Studies by Admiral Sir Cyprian Bridge
