quibble

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: quidditycavilnigglepettifogbickersquabblebrabble

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. an evasion of the point of an argument by raising irrelevant distinctions or objectionsSynonyms: quidditycavil

Verb (2)

  1. evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
  2. argue over petty things“Let's not quibble over pennies”Synonyms: nigglepettifogbickersquabblebrabble
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]

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]

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