quibble
6 dictionary results for: quibble
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
quib·ble 
[kwib-uhl] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -bled, -bling.
[kwib-uhl] Pronunciation Key noun, verb, -bled, -bling. –noun
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue. |
| 2. | the general use of such arguments. |
| 3. | petty or carping criticism; a minor objection. |
| 4. | to equivocate. |
| 5. | to carp; cavil. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| quib·ble
(kwĭb'əl) Pronunciation Key
intr.v. quib·bled, quib·bling, quib·bles
n.
[Probably diminutive of obsolete quib, equivocation, perhaps from Latin quibus, dative and ablative pl. of quī, who, what (from its frequent use in legal documents); see kwo- in Indo-European roots.] quib'bler n. Synonyms: These verbs mean to raise petty or frivolous objections or complaints: quibbling about minor details; a critic who constantly carped; caviling about the price of coffee; an editor who niggled about commas; tried to stop nitpicking all the time; pettifogging about trivialities. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
quibble
quibble
1611, "a pun, a play on words," probably a dim. of quib "evasion of point at issue" (c.1550), from L. quibus "by what (things)?," dative and ablative plural of quid "what," neut. of quis (see who). The word's overuse in legal jargon supposedly gave it the association with trivial argument. Meaning "equivocation, evasion of the point" is attested from 1670. The verb in this sense is from 1656.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| quibble | |
noun | |
| 1. | an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections |
verb | |
| 1. | evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections |
| 2. | argue over petty things; "Let's not quibble over pennies" |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Quibble
Quib"ble\, n. [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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Quibble
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.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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