quibble Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objections
    cavil; quiddity.
  2. verb evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
  3. verb argue over petty things
    niggle; squabble; pettifog; bicker; brabble.
    • Let's not quibble over pennies

WordNet

Quib"ble noun
Etymology
Probably fr. quib, quip, but influenced by quillet, or quiddity.
Definitions
  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 intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Quibbled ; present participle & verbal noun Quibbling
Definitions
  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 1913