I. ˈkwȯr(-ə)l, ˈkwär(-ə)l noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, square block of stone, bolt, from Vulgar Latin * quadrellum, diminutive of Latin quadrum square — more at quadrate
Date: 13th century
: a square-headed bolt or arrow especially for a crossbow
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English querele, from Anglo-French, from Latin querela grievance, complaint, from queri to complain
Date: 14th century
1. : a ground of dispute or complaint
have no quarrel with a different approach
2. : a usually verbal conflict between antagonists : altercation
Synonyms:
quarrel , wrangle , altercation , squabble mean a noisy dispute usually marked by anger. quarrel implies heated verbal contention, stressing strained or severed relations which may persist beyond the contention
a quarrel nearly destroyed the relationship
wrangle suggests undignified and often futile disputation with a noisy insistence on differing opinions
wrangle interminably about small issues
altercation implies fighting with words as the chief weapon, although it may also connote blows
a loud public altercation
squabble stresses childish and unseemly dispute over petty matters, but it need not imply bitterness or anger
a brief squabble over what to do next
III. intransitive verb
( -reled or -relled ; -rel·ing or -rel·ling )
Date: 14th century
1. : to find fault
many people quarrel with the idea — Johns Hopkins Magazine
2. : to contend or dispute actively
quarrel ed frequently with his superiors — London Calling
• quar·rel·er or quar·rel·ler noun