Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Quibble

Quib′ble

,
Noun.
[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.

Quib′ble

,
Verb.
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 1828 Edition


Quibble

QUIB'BLE

,
Noun.
1.
A start or turn from the point in question, or from plain truth; an evasion; a cavil; a pretense; as, to answer a sound argument by quibbles.
Quirks and quibbles have no place in the search after truth.
2.
A pun; a low conceit.

QUIB'BLE

, v.i.
1.
To evade the point in question, or plain truth, by artifice, play upon words, caviling or any conceit; to trifle in argument or discourse.
2.
To pun.

Definition 2024


quibble

quibble

English

Noun

quibble (plural quibbles)

  1. A trivial or minor complaint, objection or argument.
    He harped on his quibble about how the dark red paint should be described as carmine rather than burgundy.
  2. A shift or turn from the point in question; a trifling or evasive distinction; a cavil.
    • I. Watts
      Quibbles have no place in the search after truth.
  3. (obsolete) A pun.

Synonyms

  • See Wikisaurus:dispute

Translations

Verb

quibble (third-person singular simple present quibbles, present participle quibbling, simple past and past participle quibbled)

  1. (intransitive) To complain or argue in a trivial or petty manner.
    They are constantly quibbling over insignificant details.

Synonyms

  • See Wikisaurus:squabble

Translations

References

  1. Wheelock's Latin, Frederic M. Wheelock, 6th ed., p. 115