cavil Definition
cavil (kav′əl)
intransitive verb -·iled or -·illed, -·il·ing or -·il·ling
to object when there is little reason to do so; resort to trivial faultfinding; carp; quibble (at or about)
Etymology: OFr caviller < L cavillari < cavilla, jeering < *calvilla < calvari, to deceive; akin to calumnia, calumny
noun
a trivial objection; quibble
cavil Related Forms
cav′·iler noun or cav′·il·ler
cavil Synonyms
cavil Usage Examples
Converse of object
have: I had some cavils about the Danse Infernale, whose ethnic roots are very visible.
Print this Page
Suggestion Box
Send to Friend
