[syn: quibble, niggle, pettifog, bicker, squabble, brabble]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bicker \Bick"er\, n. [See Beaker.]
A small wooden vessel made of staves and hoops, like a tub.
[Prov. Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bicker \Bick"er\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Bickered; p. pr. & vb.
n. Bickering.] [OE. bikeren, perh. fr. Celtic; cf. W. bicra
to fight, bicker, bicre conflict, skirmish; perh. akin to E.
beak.]
1. To skirmish; to exchange blows; to fight. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Two eagles had a conflict, and bickered together.
--Holland.
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2. To contend in petulant altercation; to wrangle.
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Petty things about which men cark and bicker.
--Barrow.
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3. To move quickly and unsteadily, or with a pattering noise;
to quiver; to be tremulous, like flame.
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They [streamlets] bickered through the sunny shade.
--Thomson.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bicker \Bick"er\, n.
1. A skirmish; an encounter. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
2. A fight with stones between two parties of boys. [Scot.]
--Jamieson.
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3. A wrangle; also, a noise,, as in angry contention.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
bicker
n 1: a quarrel about petty points [syn: bicker, bickering,
spat, tiff, squabble, pettifoggery, fuss]
v 1: argue over petty things; "Let's not quibble over pennies"
[syn: quibble, niggle, pettifog, bicker,
squabble, brabble]