Definition of quibble

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< Quezon y Molina, Manuel Luis

quiche >

quib·ble    (kwbl) 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.

NOUN:

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

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ETYMOLOGY:
Probably diminutive of obsolete quib, equivocation, perhaps from Latin quibus, dative and ablative pl. of qu, who, what (from its frequent use in legal documents); see k^wo- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
quibbler (Noun)

SYNONYMS:
quibble , carp ¹ , cavil , niggle , nitpick , pettifog

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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