quarrel

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an arrow that is shot from a crossbow

   My quarrel is on target today!

2. 2
   noun

   an angry dispute

   They had a quarrel in the mall.

3. 3
   verb

   to have a disagreement over something

   We quarreled over the question as to who discovered America.

4. 4
   noun

   A dispute or heated argument (especially one that is verbal).

   We got into a silly quarrel about what food to order.

5. 5
   noun

   Often preceded by a form of to have: a basis or ground of dispute or objection; a complaint; also, a feeling or situation of ill will and unhappiness caused by this.

   A few customers in the shop had some quarrels with us, so we called for the manager.

6. 6
   noun

   A propensity to quarrel; quarrelsomeness.

   If I can faſten but one cup vpon him, / With that which he hath drunke to night already, / Hee'll be as full of quarrell and offence, / As my young miſtris dog:— [...]

7. 7
   verb

   To argue fiercely; to contend; to squabble; to cease to be on friendly terms, to fall out.

   [T]here is no doubt but the facture or framing of the inward parts, is as full of difference, as the outward, and in that, is the Cauſe Continent of many diſeaſes, which not be obſerued, they quarrell many times with the humors which are not in fault, the fault being in the very frame and Mechanicke of the parte, which cannot be remoued by medicine alteratiue, but muſt be accomodate and palliate by dyets and medicines familiar.

8. 8
   verb

   To find fault; to cavil.

   to quarrel with one’s lot

Etymology

PIE word *kʷetwóres From Middle English quarrel (“bolt for an arbalest, crossbow, or siege engine; (figurative) seductive glance, temptation to sin; needle (possibly one square in cross-section); small (perhaps square-shaped) opening in window tracery; a cushion (perhaps square-shaped)”) [and other forms], from Anglo-Norman quarel, quarele, quarrel, Middle French quarrel, and Old French quarel, quarrel, carrel (“crossbow bolt; floor tile or paving stone (rectangular- or square-shaped); small glass pane for windows”) (modern French carreau (“crossbow bolt; a tile; windowpane; a square”)), from…