quarrel

1
[ kwawr-uhl, kwor- ]
/ ˈkwɔr əl, ˈkwɒr- /

noun

an angry dispute or altercation; a disagreement marked by a temporary or permanent break in friendly relations.
a cause of dispute, complaint, or hostile feeling: She has no quarrel with her present salary.

verb (used without object), quar·reled, quar·rel·ing or (especially British) quar·relled, quar·rel·ling.

to disagree angrily; squabble; wrangle.
to end a friendship as a result of a disagreement.
to make a complaint; find fault.

Origin of quarrel

1
1300–50; Middle English querele < Old French < Latin querēla, querella a complaint, derivative of querī to complain

SYNONYMS FOR quarrel

1 argument, contention, controversy, difference, fight. Quarrel, dissension refer to disagreement and conflict. Quarrel applies chiefly to a verbal disagreement between individuals or groups and is used with reference to a large variety of situations, from a slight and petty difference of opinion to a violent altercation: It was little more than a domestic quarrel. Their quarrel led to the barroom brawl. Dissension usually implies a profound disagreement and bitter conflict. It also applies chiefly to conflict within a group or to members of the same group: dissension within the union; dissension among the Democrats.
3 bicker, argue, brawl, fight.

OTHER WORDS FROM quarrel

quar·rel·er, noun quar·rel·ing·ly, adverb un·quar·rel·ing, adjective un·quar·rel·ling, adjective

Definition for quarrel (2 of 2)

quarrel 2
[ kwawr-uh l, kwor- ]
/ ˈkwɔr əl, ˈkwɒr- /

noun

a square-headed bolt or arrow, formerly used with a crossbow.
Also quarry. a small, square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, as used in latticed windows.
any of various tools with pyramidal heads.

Origin of quarrel

2
1175–1225; Middle English quarel < Old French < Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square

Example sentences from the Web for quarrel

British Dictionary definitions for quarrel (1 of 2)

quarrel 1
/ (ˈkwɒrəl) /

noun

an angry disagreement; argument
a cause of disagreement or dispute; grievance

verb -rels, -relling or -relled or US -rels, -reling or -reled (intr often foll by with)

to engage in a disagreement or dispute; argue
to find fault; complain

Derived forms of quarrel

quarreller or US quarreler, noun

Word Origin for quarrel

C14: from Old French querele, from Latin querēlla complaint, from querī to complain

British Dictionary definitions for quarrel (2 of 2)

quarrel 2
/ (ˈkwɒrəl) /

noun

an arrow having a four-edged head, fired from a crossbow
a small square or diamond-shaped pane of glass, usually one of many in a fixed or casement window and framed with lead

Word Origin for quarrel

C13: from Old French quarrel pane, from Medieval Latin quadrellus, diminutive of Latin quadrus square

Idioms and Phrases with quarrel

quarrel

see pick a quarrel.