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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.
–noun
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.
–verb (used without object)
4.to equivocate.
5.to carp; cavil.

[Origin: 1605–15; perh. deriv. (cf. -le) of quib gibe, appar. akin to quip]

quibbler, noun

1. evasion, equivocation, sophism, shift, ambiguity.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
quib·ble       (kwĭb'əl)  Pronunciation Key 
intr.v.   quib·bled, quib·bling, quib·bles
  1. To evade the truth or importance of an issue by raising trivial distinctions and objections.
  2. To find fault or criticize for petty reasons; cavil.

n.  
  1. A petty distinction or an irrelevant objection.
  2. Archaic A pun.


[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.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
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.

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" 

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 - 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.

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