cavilling

1 definition found

cavilling - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cavil \Cav"il\ (k[a^]v"[i^]l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Caviled or
     Cavilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Caviling or Cavilling.] [L.
     cavillari to practice jesting, to censure, fr. cavilla
     bantering jests, sophistry: cf. OF. caviller.]
     To raise captious and frivolous objections; to find fault
     without good reason.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           You do not well in obstinacy
           To cavil in the course of this contract. --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]