quibble
[ kwib-uhl ]
/ ˈkwɪb əl /
noun
an instance of the use of ambiguous, prevaricating, or irrelevant language or arguments to evade a point at issue.
the general use of such arguments.
petty or carping criticism; a minor objection.
verb (used without object), quib·bled, quib·bling.
to equivocate.
to carp; cavil.
SYNONYMS FOR quibble
OTHER WORDS FROM quibble
quib·bler, noun out·quib·ble, verb (used with object), out·quib·bled, out·quib·bling.Words nearby quibble
quezon y molina,
qui nhon,
qui nhong,
qui transtulit sustinet,
qui vive,
quibble,
quibbling,
quibdó,
quiberon,
quiche,
quiche lorraine
Example sentences from the Web for quibbler
If there is one thing I find it difficult to have Christian patience with, it is a quibbler.
Hildegarde's Harvest |Laura E. RichardsYou are a quibbler, I vow; but I would not hear your worst enemy accuse you of being orthodox.
A Nest of Linnets |Frank Frankfort MooreHe was adroit and quick, and was rather a quibbler than a great lawyer.
The Memories of Fifty Years |William H. SparksWith him the quibbler, the doctrinaire, the political economist, has no place.
Sir Charles Napier |Sir William Francis Butler
British Dictionary definitions for quibbler
quibble
/ (ˈkwɪbəl) /
verb (intr)
to make trivial objections; prevaricate
archaic
to play on words; pun
noun
a trivial objection or equivocation, esp one used to avoid an issue
archaic
a pun
Derived forms of quibble
quibbler, noun quibbling, adjective, noun quibblingly, adverbWord Origin for quibble
C17: probably from obsolete
quib, perhaps from Latin
quibus (from
quī who, which), as used in legal documents, with reference to their obscure phraseology