quibble

== English == === Etymology === Origin uncertain. Possibly from quib (“quibble”, noun) +‎ -le (diminutive ending). Quib is probably from Latin quibus (“in what respect? how?”), which appeared frequently in legal documents and came to be suggestive of the verbosity and petty argumentation found therein; or perhaps an alteration of quip. Alternatively, perhaps related to dialectal Dutch kwebbelen (“to speak quickly and continuously, chatter”). Compare also Scots wheebele (“a quibble”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈkwɪbəl/ Rhymes: -ɪbəl === Noun === quibble (plural quibbles) An argument or objection based on an ambiguity of wording or similar trivial circumstance; a minor complaint. [from 17th c.] Synonyms: see Thesaurus:dispute (archaic) A pun. [from 17th c.] ==== Translations ==== === Verb === quibble (third-person singular simple present quibbles, present participle quibbling, simple past and past participle quibbled) (informal, intransitive) To complain or argue in a trivial or petty manner. (informal, rare, transitive) To contest, especially some trivial issue in a petty manner. ==== Synonyms ==== See Thesaurus:squabble ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References ===