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quibble definition

quib·ble (kwib′əl)

noun

  1. Obsolete a play on words; pun
  2. an evasion of the main point as by emphasizing some petty detail; cavil
  3. a petty objection or criticism

Etymology: dim. < obs. quib < L quibus, abl. pl. of qui, which, who: quibus was common in legal documents

intransitive verb quibbled -·bled, quibbling -·bling

to evade the truth of a point under discussion by caviling; resort to a quibble

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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