[syn: quibble, niggle, pettifog, bicker, squabble, brabble]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Quibble \Quib"ble\, n. [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.
[1913 Webster]
Quibbles have no place in the search after truth. --
I. Watts.
[1913 Webster]
2. A pun; a low conceit.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Quibble \Quib"ble\, v. 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.
[1913 Webster]
2. To pun; to practice punning. --Cudworth.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To cavil; shuffle; equivocate; trifle.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
quibble
n 1: an evasion of the point of an argument by raising
irrelevant distinctions or objections [syn: quibble,
quiddity, cavil]
v 1: evade the truth of a point or question by raising
irrelevant objections
2: argue over petty things; "Let's not quibble over pennies"
[syn: quibble, niggle, pettifog, bicker, squabble,
brabble]