cavil Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections
    quibble; quiddity.
  2. verb raise trivial objections
    carp; chicane.

WordNet

Cav"il intransitive verb
Etymology
L. cavillari to practice jesting, to censure, fr. cavilla bantering jests, sophistry: cf. OF. caviller.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Caviled ∨ Cavilled ; present participle & verbal noun Caviling ∨ Cavilling
Definitions
  1. To raise captious and frivolous objections; to find fault without good reason.
    You do not well in obstinacy To cavil in the course of this contract. Shak.
Cav"il transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cavil at. Obs. Milton.
Cav"il noun
Definitions
  1. A captious or frivolous objection.
    All the cavils of prejudice and unbelief. Shak.
Cav"il, Cav"il*er noun (Also<
  • Cavil
  • Caviler
)
Definitions
  1. One who cavils.
    Cavilers at the style of the Scriptures. Boyle.

Webster 1913