English Explanatory Dictionary

cavil

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.
noun
  1. A petty or trivial objection or criticism.

Pronunciation

/ˈkæv.əl/ /ˈkæv.ɪl/ en-au-cavil.ogg

Word forms

cavil cavils caviling cavilling caviled cavilled cavel cavell

Etymology

From Old French caviller (“mock, jest, rail”), from Latin cavillor (“jeer, mock, satirise, reason captiously”), from cavilla (“jeering, raillery, scoffing”); cognate with Italian cavillare, Portuguese cavillar, and Spanish cavilar; nominal usage developed within English from the original verbal usage.

Synonyms

be hypercritical nitpick pettifog split hairs

Derived words

caviler cavillation
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