CAVIL

quibble, quiddity, cavil

(noun) an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections

cavil, carp, chicane

(verb) raise trivial objections

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

cavil (third-person singular simple present cavils, present participle (US) caviling or (UK) cavilling, simple past and past participle (US) caviled or (UK) cavilled)

(intransitive) To criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.

Synonyms: be hypercritical, nitpick, pettifog, split hairs

Noun

cavil (plural cavils)

A petty or trivial objection or criticism.

Anagrams

• clavi, lavic

Source: Wiktionary

Cav"il, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Caviled or Cavilled (; p. pr. & vb. n. Caviling or Cavilling.] Etym: [L. cavillari to practice jesting, to censure, fr. cavilla bantering jests, sophistry: cf. OF. caviller.]

Definition: To raise captious and frivolous objections; to find fault without good reason. You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. Shak.

Cav"il, v. t.

Definition: To cavil at. [Obs.] Milton.

Cav"il, n.

Definition: A captious or frivolous objection. All the cavils of prejudice and unbelief. Shak.

Cav"il or Cav"il*er, n.

Definition: One who cavils. Cavilers at the style of the Scriptures. Boyle.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition