carping

Noun
Synonyms: faultfinding

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. persistent petty and unjustified criticismSynonyms: faultfinding
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Carp \Carp\ (k[aum]rp), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Carped (k[aum]rpt); p. pr. & vb. n. Carping.] [OE. carpen to say, speak; from Scand. (cf. Icel. karpa to boast), but influenced later by L. carpere to pluck, calumniate.]

1.To talk; to speak; to prattle. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2.To find fault; to cavil; to censure words or actions without reason or ill-naturedly; -- usually followed by at. [1913 Webster]

Carping and caviling at faults of manner.— Blackw. Mag.[1913 Webster]
And at my actions carp or catch.— Herbert.[1913 Webster]
Carping \Carp"ing\ (k[aum]rp"[i^]ng), a. Fault-finding; censorious caviling. See Captious. -- Carp"ing*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]
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