quibble

Etymology

From a diminutive of Latin quibus, which appeared frequently in legal documents^[1].

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkwɪbəl/
• Rhymes: -ɪbəl

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.

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.

References