Nearby Words
verb (used without object)
1.
to raise irritating and trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about): He finds something to cavil at in everything I say.
verb (used with object)
2.
to oppose by inconsequential, frivolous, or sham objections: to cavil each item of a proposed agenda.
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Caviling
is always a great word to know.
So is slumgullion. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
noun
3.
a trivial and annoying objection.
4.
the raising of such objections.
Origin:
1540–50; < Latin cavillārī to jeer, scoff, quibble, verbal derivative of cavilla jesting, banter
1540–50; < Latin cavillārī to jeer, scoff, quibble, verbal derivative of cavilla jesting, banter
Related forms
cav·il·er; especially British, cav·il·ler, noun
cav·il·ing·ly; especially British, cav·il·ling·ly, adverb
out·cav·il, verb (used with object), -iled, -il·ing or (especially British) -illed, -il·ling.
un·cav·il·ing, adjective
un·cav·il·ling, adjective
Synonyms
1. carp, complain, criticize.
1. carp, complain, criticize.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To caviling
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
cavil
1548, from M.Fr. caviller "to mock, jest," from L. cavillari "to satirize, argue scoffingly," from cavilla "jeering," related to calumnia (see calumny).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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