QUIBBLE

quibble, quiddity, cavil

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

quibble, niggle, pettifog, bicker, squabble, brabble

(verb) argue over petty things; “Let’s not quibble over pennies”

quibble

(verb) evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

quibble (plural quibbles)

(now, rare) A pun. [from 17th c.]

An objection or argument based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint. [from 17th c.]

• I. Watts

Synonyms

• See dispute

Verb

quibble (third-person singular simple present quibbles, present participle quibbling, simple past and past participle quibbled)

(informal, intransitive) To complain or argue in a trivial or petty manner.

Synonyms

• See squabble

Source: Wiktionary


Quib"ble, n. Etym: [Probably fr. quib, quip, but influenced by quillet, or quiddity.]

1. A shift or turn from the point in question; a trifling or evasive distinction; an evasion; a cavil. Quibbles have no place in the search after truth. I. Watts.

2. A pun; a low conceit.

Quib"ble, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Quibbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Quibbling.]

1. To evade the point in question by artifice, play upon words, caviling, or by raising any insignificant or impertinent question or point; to trifle in argument or discourse; to equivocate.

2. To pun; to practice punning. Cudworth.

Syn.

– To cavil; shuffle; equivocate; trifle.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

1 April 2025

ANYMORE

(adverb) at the present or from now on; usually used with a negative; “Alice doesn’t live here anymore”; “the children promised not to quarrel any more”


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