quibble

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   argue over petty things

   Let's not quibble over pennies.

Multiword verbs with quibble

• quibble over Prepositional verb C2

  to argue about small details that are not very important

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Quibble probably comes from Latin quibus, meaning “for which” or “for whom,” a word common in legal documents and associated with fine verbal distinctions. It first meant a pun or play on words, then an argument based on verbal distinctions, and finally a petty objection or trivial criticism.

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”).

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External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
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